NORTHERN IRELAND

Saville Inquiry

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the cost of the Saville Inquiry to his Department has been to date; and what his current estimate is of the final cost of the whole inquiry.

Des Browne: The cost of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry to the Northern Ireland Office, as at 22 March 2002, is #56.8 million. The current estimated cost of the Inquiry to the Northern Ireland Office is #120 million.
	The #20 million increase as compared with the figure given on 17 December 2001, Official Report, column 40W, is accounted for by two factors. First, an estimated #15 million of net additional costs arises from the transfer of the hearings to London this September. Secondly, the Senior Costs Judge's judgment of 21 March implies additional expenditure of, on best current estimates, around #5 million on solicitors for the families; expenditure on costs arising from this case is expected to run into several hundreds of thousands of pounds.
	If my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's challenge to the Senior Costs Judge's ruling on payments to counsel for the families is unsuccessful, that will add an estimated sum of at least #6 million to the estimated #120 million cost.
	These figures do not include costs to other Departments such as the Ministry of Defence.

Saville Inquiry

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects Lord Saville to report his findings.

Des Browne: Publication of the report is a matter for the independent Tribunal. Based on my current understanding of the Inquiry's future timetable, I do not expect the Tribunal to publish its report before 2004.

Saville Inquiry

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland further to his answer of 26 February 2002, Official Report, column 757W, on the Saville Inquiry, how much public funding has been provided to the legal representatives of other parties represented at the Saville Inquiry, broken down by each (a) barrister and (b) firm of solicitors involved.

Des Browne: The answer of 26 February set out the amount of public funding that has been provided to the legal representatives of the families and the Northern Ireland Civil Rights Association (NICRA). The majority of the other parties represented at the Inquiry have their legal costs met through the Ministry of Defence. The public funding made available to these parties is therefore a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence.
	The Tribunal has allowed certain persons limited legal representation during the course of the hearings. The costs of this representation are paid by the Inquiry. In addition a large number of witnesses have received legal assistance at the statement-taking stage and have had the costs of this met by the Inquiry. The cost of this assistance and representation therefore falls to my Department.
	Much of the assistance to witnesses has been provided by solicitors to the families: insofar as it has been, the costs are included in the payments to the solicitors concerned shown in the parliamentary answer of 26 February 2002, Official Report, column 757W. However, a large number of other lawyers from across the United Kingdom and beyond have also been involved in providing assistance to individual witnesses or representing those additional persons referred to above. Given the numbers of lawyers involved it is taking a little time to compute the amounts paid to the individual teams. I will undertake to write to my hon. Friend with this information as soon as possible. A copy of the letter will be placed in the House Library.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Arthur Andersen

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total cost to her Department has been of services provided by (a) Andersen and (b) Accenture, Andersen Consulting for (i) accountancy services, (ii) consultancy work and (iii) other work in each year since 1997; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: The total costs of contracts awarded by year are set out below.
	
		
			 Company Service Year # 
		
		
			 Andersen Consulting (later Accenture) Consultancy 1999 10,000 
			 Arthur Andersen Consultancy 2000 594,000 
			  Consultancy 2001 213,000 
			  Accountancy 2001 4,100,000

Arthur Andersen

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much work from her Department has been given to Andersen Consulting formally known as Arthur Andersen in each year since 1992.

Patricia Hewitt: Contracts agreed with Andersen Consulting were listed in my reply to my Friend the hon. Member for Great Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell) on 11 February 2002, Official Report, column 61W. Information on contracts for the five years prior to May 1997 is not centrally available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

Departmental Events

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will list the (a) conferences, (b) seminars, (c) workshops, (d) exhibitions and (e) press conferences which have been sponsored by her Department and which took place on non-departmental premises in each of the last four years giving the title, purpose, date and cost of each.

Patricia Hewitt: My Department uses the mechanisms that are the most appropriate and effective in communicating with specific audiences, including all those listed in the question. Some of these events are held on Departmental premises and others at different venues. But no central records are kept that would enable the information requested to be supplied, and it could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Publicity Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the total real terms expenditure of her Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on publicity in each of the years (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) 2001–02 (i) to date and (ii) as estimated for the whole of the present year; and if she will break these figures down to indicate expenditure on (A) advertising and (B) press and public relations.

Patricia Hewitt: This information is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Insolvency Service

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many warning letters were issued as a result of investigations by the Insolvency Service in each year since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: The number of warning letters issued were as follows:
	1 January 1997 to 31 December 1997: 582
	1 January 1998 to 31 December 1998: 549
	1 January 1999 to 31 December 1999: 385
	1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000: 287
	1 January 2001 to 31 December 2001: 228.
	The numbers reflect better policy guidance provided to Official Receivers in 1997–98, who have focused investigatory resources on the more serious offences and director disqualification, both of which lead to court hearings and convictions rather than resulting in warning letters.

Insolvency Service

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what checks are in place to ensure an agreed high standard of correspondence is achieved when the Insolvency Service communicates with customers.

Melanie Johnson: The Insolvency Service's target for replying to correspondence is published in the Annual Report and in leaflets that are available from the Insolvency Service and can also be found on the website, www.insolvency.gsi.gov.uk.

Insolvency Service

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what measures are used by her Department to review the (a) performance and (b) efficiency of the Insolvency Service.

Melanie Johnson: A number of targets are set annually to measure the performance and efficiency of the Insolvency Service. They are published in the Annual Report, a copy of which is available in the Libraries of the House.

Insolvency Service

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many rogue directors have been reported on the Insolvency Service hotline since its inception; and how many of these (a) in total and (b) as a percentage of total calls have resulted in successful prosecutions.

Melanie Johnson: By 28 February 2002, 2,978 calls had been received which generated 1,167 substantive complaints. The remaining complainants failed to provide the information requested in support of their complaints.
	By that date, 31 related convictions had been obtained and a further 27 written warnings had been issued. 563 remain under investigation and 450 were not proceeded with due to insufficient evidence.

Staff Numbers

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff have been employed by her Department in each of the last 10 years.

Patricia Hewitt: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 19 March 2002, Official Report, column 295W, by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office.

Internet/e-Government

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of (a) internet and (b) e-Government access in rural areas; and what measures she it taking to broaden access.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 11 March 2002
	The 2001 UK online annual report: http://www.eennovy.gov.uk/ukonline/champions/anrep— menu.htm detailed progress towards our internet and e-Government targets.
	A copy has also been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Correspondence

John Barrett: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to her answer of 11 March 2002, Official Report, column 678W, on correspondence, for what reason 21 letters sent to her Department were awaiting a reply; and for how many of the 21 an acknowledgement of their correspondence has been sent to the letter-writer.

Patricia Hewitt: There are several reasons why a letter may not receive an answer within my Department's target of 10 days. On this occasion I am unable to give specific reasons as I am unable to identify which letters were outstanding at the time, but all outstanding correspondence will be dealt with as quickly as possible and my Department will continue to endeavour to respond to letters within 10 days.

Correspondence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the target time will be in 2002–03 for (a) Ministers to reply to letters from hon. Members and (b) officials in her Department to reply to letters received directly from members of the public.

Patricia Hewitt: The agreed target time for my Department to reply to hon. Members is 10 working days for the year 2002–03.
	The target for letters received directly from members of the public for the year 2002–03 is 15 working days.

Aerospace Industry

Irene Adams: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many jobs she estimates are dependent on the aerospace industry in the United Kingdom.

Brian Wilson: The latest figures I have are for 2000. DTI working with the Society of British Aerospace Companies estimates that the UK aerospace industry employed 150,000 and indirectly supported a further 200,000 jobs in the supply chain.

Sellafield

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 14 February 2002, Official Report, column 529W, on Sellafield, if she will place in the Library the review of the B30 nuclear waste storage facility performed by BNFL.

Brian Wilson: I understand no such document exists.

Sellafield

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 14 February 2002, Official Report, column 529W, on Sellafield, what remedial work has been carried out on the B30 nuclear waste storage facility.

Brian Wilson: Management of the B30 facility is an operational matter for BNFL subject to regulations by the Health and Safety Executive's Nuclear Installations Inspectorate (HSE's NII). The effective management of the facility and the historic legacy wastes it contains is a high priority for both the Government and BNFL. BNFL is taking forward a range of work programmes at B30. These are aimed at improving the way the building itself is cared for as well as characterising the contents of the building and retrieving these and converting them into a more stable form.

Legal Costs

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much her Department has paid to lawyers dealing with chronic bronchitis and emphysema, broken down by firm.

Brian Wilson: There are 471 firms of solicitors/organisations who are processing claims in relation to respiratory disease. The following list details the costs for the 10 solicitors/organisations who represent the largest numbers of claims in ascending order based on total claims intimated.
	
		
			 No. Solicitor Costs paid (# million) 
		
		
			 1 Thompsons 10.8 
			 2 Hugh James Ford Simey 8.0 
			 3 Union of Democratic Mineworkers 3.0 
			 4 Raleys 4.5 
			 5 Mark Gilbert Morse 0.7 
			 6 Browell Smith & Co 3.5 
			 7 Graysons 2.1 
			 8 Watson Burton 1.5 
			 9 Irwin Mitchells 2.3 
			 10 Randell Saunders 0.5

Legal Costs

David Hamilton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much her Department has paid to lawyers dealing with vibration white finger/carpal tunnel syndrome, broken down by firm.

Brian Wilson: There are 460 firms of solicitors/organisations who are processing claims in relation to vibration white finger. The following list details the costs for the 10 solicitors/organisations who represent the largest numbers of claims in ascending order, based on total claims intimated.
	
		
			 No. Solicitor Costs paid (# million) 
		
		
			 1 Thompsons 6.0 
			 2 Browell Smith & Co 4.3 
			 3 Union of Democratic Mineworkers 3.7 
			 4 Raleys 3.1 
			 5 Hugh James Ford Simey 3.1 
			 6 Graysons 2.1 
			 7 Moss 1.5 
			 8 Watson Burton 2.0 
			 9 AMS Law 1.1 
			 10 Towells 1.4

Textile Industry

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many firms in the textile industry that received grants from the Department have subsequently ceased production in Britain and utilised grants in overseas locations in each of the last five years.

Douglas Alexander: Offers of grant from the Department are subject to a finite period of monitoring.
	The Department's selective assistance database shows that in the last five financial years to 31 March 2001, 242 offers of Regional Selective Assistance or Enterprise Grant were made in England to firms in the textile sector. Of those which received payments of grant and were subject to conditions of the grant offer letter, 10 firms ceased trading. Eight of these firms went into liquidation. In the other two cases, one closed without notice after receiving #8,000 grant. The second, involving grant of #825,000 was subject to a Management Buy Out and remains active in the UK.

Electricity

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions her Department had with representatives of (a) Powergen, (b) East Midlands Electricity and (c) the US Department of Commerce in 1997 and 1998.

Brian Wilson: The Department has discussions on a wide range of issues from time to time with UK Electricity Companies and with the Departments of other Governments.

Nuclear Reactors

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what evaluation her Department has made of emerging pebble-bed nuclear reactor design and operation in other countries; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: None. BNFL has a minority investment in the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) project, the feasibility of which is currently being studied. I look forward to seeing the results in due course.

CISWO

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many partnerships CISWO has with Sport England, regional development agencies and the private sector; and how many jobs have these created in the last three years.

Brian Wilson: CISWO collaborates with Sport England in many areas in preparing bids for National Lottery money for projects that will develop or enhance local sporting facilities. Such activity is not formalised as a partnership and does not have job creation as an objective although extra employment opportunities may be created. CISWO is associated with seven RDA projects and, as before, although job creation is not a central feature, there has been, for example, an education project in Yorkshire has created five jobs and a similar number at a project in the West Midlands.
	CISWO's involvement with the private sector is a matter for CISWO.

CISWO

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what Government funding has been received by CISWO in each of the last five years.

Brian Wilson: CISWO has not received any Government funding in any of the last five years. CISWO was given a cash endowment from the Bristol Coal Corporation upon the Corporation's privatisation in 1994 and, in addition, between 1994 and 1999 received under covenant #1 million per annum from the successor mining companies to the Corporation.

CISWO

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what requests for Government funding have been made by CISWO this year.

Brian Wilson: In October of last year the Chair of the Trustees of CISWO wrote to me seeking a meeting to discuss funding. In January of this year I attended a presentation given by the Chief Executive and a number of the organisation's trustees and at that presentation I undertook to give careful consideration to CISWO's concerns over their future funding requirements.

Post Office

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the operating profits were for the Post Office/Consignia in each of the last 20 years.

Patricia Hewitt: The operating profits figures for the Post Office/Consignia are set out in the company's Annual Report and Accounts. Since 1982 these have been:
	
		
			 Year # Million 
		
		
			 1981–82 90 
			 1982–83 151 
			 1983–84 131 
			 1984–85 142 
			 1985–86 141 
			 1986–87 130 
			 1987–88 171 
			 1988–89 116 
			 1989–90 78 
			 1990–91 106 
			 1991–92 250 
			 1992–93 264 
			 1993–94 300 
			 1994–95 1461 
			 1995–96 387 
			 1996–97 481 
			 1997–98 528 
			 1998–99 394 
			 1999–2000 381 
			 2000–01 122 
		
	
	1 As restated.
	Note:
	Profit figures do not include tax, interest, exceptional items or (after 1990–91) sale of assets.

Post Office

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have taken place about the possible sale of Consignia Holdings plc or its component parts; and if she will make a statement.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 21 March 2002
	There are no proposals to sell Consignia Holdings, its mail business, Parcelforce or the network of post offices.
	Consignia was given commercial freedom by this Government in response to demands from the company and unions. It is therefore entirely logical that Consignia considers it commercial strategy, including relationships or ventures with other operators.

Post Office

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of first class letters reached their destination the day after posting in each of the last 20 years.

Patricia Hewitt: This matter falls to the day to day responsibility of Consignia and I have therefore asked the Chief Executive to reply direct to the hon. Member.

Inward Investment

John Whittingdale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what the total level of inward investment was from (a) the EU, (b) the USA, (c) the G7 countries and (d) Japan into the UK in each of the last 20 years.

Patricia Hewitt: The information is in the following table:
	
		Level of foreign direct investment in the UK 1981–2000 -- Stock level at year end# million, current prices
		
			  EU15 USA G7 total Japan 
		
		
			 1981 3,225 9,559 12,049 324 
			 1984 12,203 19,576 24,237 806 
			 1987 16,363 25,838 35,359 2,039 
			 1988 23,593 28,257 41,441 3,082 
			 1989 28,711 37,093 55,307 3,965 
			 1990 33,707 43,784 65,799 5,648 
			 1991 38,036 44,434 68,453 5,346 
			 1992 39,546 46,001 70,216 4,929 
			 1993 40,266 49,537 73,741 5,427 
			 1994 39,998 49,829 73,683 5,105 
			 1995 43,493 55,129 81,689 5,542 
			 1996 43,774 55,956 85,004 5,888 
			 1997 44,927 70,270 105,743 6,562 
			 1998 69,248 93,419 134,140 7,387 
			 1999 107,429 93,469 162,300 4,174 
			 2000 137,468 100,526 195,465 7,770 
		
	
	Notes:
	G7 comprises of UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada and USA.
	Prior to 1987, data were only collected every three years.
	Source:
	National Statistics.

Consumer Protection

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to amend the Consumer Protection (Cancellation of Contracts Concluded away from Business Premises) Regulations 1987.

Melanie Johnson: I have no plans at present to amend the Regulations.

Nuclear Power Stations (Scotland)

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she expects to make a decision on her responsibility for planning permission in relation to recent legislation on nuclear power stations in Scotland.

Brian Wilson: I have no such responsibility.

National Physical Laboratory

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the progress of the PFI project at the National Physical Laboratory, Teddington; what the extent is of (a) delays from the original timetable and (b) cost overruns; and to what extent liability for failure to meet deadlines falls on the (i) Government and (ii) contractor.

Patricia Hewitt: The new accommodation for the National Physical Laboratory is being handed over, as planned, in phases. Nine of 16 modules have been handed over.
	The original date for completion of construction of the final module was 22 January 2001. The PFI Contractor's reported date for construction completion is now 12 November 2002.
	Since this is a PFI project, construction cost overruns are a matter for the PFI Contractor and liability for failure to meet deadlines does not fall to Government.

Asteroid 2002 EM7

Robert Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what monitoring her Department has undertaken of the asteroid 2002 EM7 and its orbit.

Patricia Hewitt: Asteroid 2002 EM7 was first observed on 12 March 2002, four days after it had passed within 500,000 km of the Earth, a distance greater than that between the Earth and the Moon. The object had not been detected previously because its approach had been from the direction of the Sun. Observations have determined that the object takes 323 days to orbit the Sun, and that its next close approach to the Earth will occur on 1 July 2011, at a minimum distance more than eight times greater than that of 8 March 2002. The size of 2002 EM7 is estimated to be between 50 and 100 m.
	The Government's approach to Near Earth Objects (NEOs) is to work with its international partners to develop a complementary and co-ordinated response to what is, by its nature, a global issue. A National NEO Information Centre has been established at the National Space Science Centre in Leicester to provide objective information on NEOs to the public and media.

Website Security

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what information posted on the departmental website, or websites of non departmental public bodies reporting to her Department, has been (a) modified or (b) removed as a consequence of the events of 11 September 2001.

Patricia Hewitt: No information has been modified or removed from the core pages of the DTI website as a result of the events of 11 September. Information on changes to other DTI-related websites is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Coal Mineshafts

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to compensate home owners whose properties (a) have suffered a substantial fall in value and (b) are unsaleable because of abandoned mineshafts nearby.

Brian Wilson: The Coal Authority or relevant coal mine operator will repair any physical damage caused to a property by an abandoned mineshaft. That being the case, I have no plans to introduce any scheme of compensation in respect of properties the value and saleability of which are allegedly affected by the presence of a mineshaft. Nevertheless, my Department is examining with other interested parties how the difficulties experienced by the owners of property with mineshafts nearby might be addressed.

Coal Mineshafts

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will announce her conclusions on the Heriot-Watt University study on the impact of coal mineshafts; and if she will make a statement.

Brian Wilson: The Heriot-Watt University study provided valuable information on the effect of former mineshafts on property values, in particular in Stoke-on-Trent. Subsequent to the study's publication the Department has established a Working Group to examine what steps might be taken to address this issue. The Working Group, which includes representatives from the Coal Authority, the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the Association of British Insurers, the Law Society and the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, met for the first time last month. Good progress has already been made in identifying measures which the various parties might take to improve the situation.

Postcomm

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to ensure Postcomm consults all local authorities on its proposals to increase competition in postal services; and if she will make a statement.

Douglas Alexander: I refer my hon. Friend to answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Morecambe and Lunesdale (Geraldine L Smith) on 26 March 2002 PQ No. 46321.

Postcomm

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of Postcomm proposals for Consignia and the introduction of competition into postal markets ahead of European proposals.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 25 March 2002
	The Government's priority is to ensure the universal postal service and this is Postcomm's primary statutory duty. In exercising its functions Postcomm must act in accordance with its primary and other statutory duties including compliance with EU obligations.
	Currently EU legislation allows member states to reserve certain mail services to universal service providers but only to the extent necessary to maintain the universal service. There are maximum limits to the services that may be reserved; but there is no minimum and some EU countries have determined either that they no longer need to reserve services or that the level of service they need to reserve is lower than the maximum limits.
	Discussions are in progress to amend the current European Postal Directive with regard to the further opening to competition of Community postal services and when the new Directive is adopted the Government will consider with interested parties what action is necessary for its transposition in the United Kingdom.

Postcomm

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what previous experience Postcomm commissioners have regarding postal services in the United Kingdom.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 25 March 2002
	Postcomm was the first body to have a collegiate approach to regulation in the UK. This approach aims to de-personalise regulation and bring a greater range of expertise to bear on regulatory decisions. The experience of the Commissioners was outlined in a press release by this Department on 6 November 2000, copies of which have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Postcomm

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the appointments for Postcomm commissioners were advertised; how many applications were received; who appointed the Postcomm commissioners; and what criteria were used for the appointments.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 25 March 2002
	The advertising, recruitment and appointments process was conducted by this Department in accordance with the Commissioner for Public Appointments' Code of Practice. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry made the appointments.

Postcomm

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  which district councils and unitary authorities Postcomm have consulted regarding their proposals affecting Consignia;
	(2)  if Postcomm has consulted (a) the Steve King Orchestra, (b) Victoria's Jewellers, (c) Lancashire County Council, (d) Lancaster City Council and (e) hon. Members regarding their current proposals affecting Consignia;
	(3)  if Postcomm is consulting with selected local authorities on their proposals for Consignia.

Douglas Alexander: holding answers 25 March 2002
	This is a matter for Postcomm. Interested parties who have concerns about the process or substance contained in the document Postcomm issued on Thursday 31 January should communicate these to Postcomm.

Postcomm

Geraldine Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Postcomm has indicated to Consignia during the last 18 months that it would not allow an increase in the price of postage.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 25 March 2002
	On 10 April 2001 Postcomm received a request from the Royal Mail for increases in a wide range of postal rates including a penny on first and second class post. This request was made under provisions of the Consignia license. Consignia suspended that request on 19 June 2001.

Aggregates Levy

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions her Department has had with the Treasury on a delay to the aggregates levy.

Brian Wilson: Government Departments continue to have detailed discussions on the implementation of the aggregates levy.

Broadband

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she is taking to increase broadband coverage in Monmouthshire.

Douglas Alexander: The Government broadband strategy can be found in the second annual UK Online Report and sets out a number of measures to stimulate broadband supply in areas without coverage.
	Last year we announced a #30 million fund to encourage broadband rollout in each region of the country and last week I set out how that money would be spent in each region.
	Wales will receive #2.67 million which will be used to: further develop the all-Wales broadband Lifelong Learning Network which will link up all educational facilities, libraries and adult learning centres within Wales with broadband services to allow the public to access broadband services; and develop a wireless broadband project that will utilise wireless technology to enable online communities to use and create digital content.

Coal Health Compensation Scheme

Andy Burnham: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many applications have been made under the coal health compensation scheme for (a) chronic bronchitis and emphysema and (b) vibration white finger from residents of (i) Leigh constituency, (ii) Wigan constituency, (iii) Makerfield constituency and (iv) Wigan borough; and how many of these applications have been (A) settled and (B) received interim payments.

Brian Wilson: The information is in the following tables:
	
		Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
		
			  Applications1 Full and final offers made2 Interims made 
		
		
			 Leigh 1,467 187 351 
			 Wigan 799 89 202 
			 Makerfield 975 116 266 
		
	
	
		Vibration white finger
		
			  Applications1 Full and final offers made2 Interims made 
		
		
			 Leigh 598 185 196 
			 Wigan 296 76 107 
			 Makerfield 545 140 201 
		
	
	1 Statistics are compiled by IRISC, the Department's claims handlers, on a parliamentary constituency basis rather than according to local government boundaries. The above figures represent the bulk of applicants from the Wigan Borough area, but will understate the position to the extent that applications from the constituencies of West Lancashire, Bolton West and Chorley are also from persons resident in the Wigan Borough area.
	2 IRISC are not able to produce individual constituency figures for applications settled. They do provide figures for those claims on which a full and final offer has been made.

Secondments

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many BP employees are on secondment to her Department; for what purposes; on what terms; and how many BP employees have been on secondment to her Department since January 2000.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 25 March 2002
	From records held centrally, we currently have two BP employees on secondment into the Department. One is on secondment to the Chemicals and Biotechnology Directorate, based in the USA as a US Chemical Advisor. The other is seconded to Trade Partners UK (BTI) as an Export Promoter for East and West Europe. The secondments are covered by standard contractual arrangements setting out terms and conditions.
	In addition, there have been a further two BP employees on secondment to the Department since January 2000, both of whom have now finished their attachments.

Companies House

Michael Connarty: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets she has set the Department's executive agency, Companies House for 2002–03.

Melanie Johnson: I have set Companies House the following targets for the 2002–03 year.
	Operational Targets
	To process 99 per cent. of statutory documents within five days of receipt at Companies House;
	to achieve, on average, a monthly compliance rate for accounts submitted of 95 per cent.;
	to ensure that 96 per cent. of all forms submitted to Companies House are captured error-free; and
	to ensure that 98 per cent. of all images placed on the Companies House image system are error-free.
	Questions delegated to the Chief Executive
	The Chief Executive to reply within 10 days to all letters from Members of Parliament delegated to her for reply.
	Customer Service and Complaints Handling
	To ensure that products and services on Companies House Direct are available for 98 per cent. of the time between the supported hours of 7 am and 8 pm, Monday to Friday;
	to ensure that products and services on the Companies House website are available for 98 per cent. of the time between the supported hours of 7 am and 8 pm, Monday to Friday;
	to achieve a score of more than 80 per cent. in each quarterly Companies House Customer Satisfaction Survey;
	to clear up 90 per cent. of complaints within five days.
	Financial Targets
	To maintain a unit cost reduction of 3 per cent. in real terms on document registration;
	to achieve, taking one year with another, a 6 per cent. average rate of return based on the operating surplus expressed as a percentage of average net assets;
	to pay all bills due within 30 days, or on other agreed credit terms, on receipt of goods or services or a valid invoice, whichever is later.

Universal Bank

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the proposed Universal Bank Account will be available to those who have existing banking facilities.

Douglas Alexander: holding answer 11 March 2002
	Our operational assumption is that around three million benefit and tax credit recipients will open a POCA, but there will not be a cap on numbers or eligibility criteria for a POCA. The emphasis will be upon ensuring that each customer gets the best account for his or her circumstances. Conventional and basic bank accounts offer more services and do not have the limitations of the POCA and so are likely to be the best option for the vast majority of people.

Astra Windows Ltd.

Michael Fallon: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on what date Companies House was informed that Astra Windows Ltd. had gone into voluntary liquidation.

Melanie Johnson: Companies House received notice of the appointment of a liquidator and an extra-ordinary resolution to wind up the company on 19 January 2001.

A400M

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when manufacture of the A400M will start in the UK; and how many jobs the programme is expected to (a) generate and (b) safeguard in the North West.

Brian Wilson: holding answer 25 March 2002
	Once the A400M contract is activated, I would anticipate that production of the aircraft would begin shortly thereafter.
	Airbus UK has estimated that the A400M programme will directly create up to 2,500 high quality jobs—notably in design and advance manufacture. They have calculated that indirect employment could bring that figure to over 8,000. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister commented on 6 March 2002, Official Report, column 343W, XAirbus Military is free to select its own suppliers on grounds of performance and cost". It is therefore impossible to estimate how many jobs might be generated in the North West.

European Directives

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the cost to business of the European Directive on Parental Leave.

Alan Johnson: The costs to business of the implementation of the Directive were assessed in a Regulatory Impact Assessment published in 1999 when the Maternity and Parental leave etc. Regulations 1999 were introduced in the UK. At this time, the total costs to business were estimated to be #42 million per year. A further Regulatory Impact Assessment was made when the parental leave regulations were extended in January 2002 to include parents of children aged under five on 15 December 1999. The costs to business of this extension were estimated to be between #7 million and #41 million. Copies of both Regulatory Impact Assessments were placed in the Libraries of the House on publication.

European Directives

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the cost to business of the European Directive on Working Time.

Alan Johnson: When the Working Time Directive was implemented in October 1998 the broad immediate cost to business was estimated at #1.9 billion. This was increased by #0.4 billion when the paid annual leave entitlement rose from three to four weeks in 1999, and by #30 million with the removal of the 13 week paid annual leave qualifying period in October 2001. The reduction in the record keeping requirements resulting from the 199 amendments to the Working Time Regulations reduced these costs by #13 million.

European Directives

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the cost to business of the European Directive on Pregnant Workers.

Alan Johnson: The Pregnant Workers Directive was adopted in October 1992, and included measures to encourage improvements in the health and safety at work of pregnant workers and workers who have recently given birth or who are breastfeeding. It included, in particular, provisions entitling workers to minimum periods of maternity leave and setting minimum standards for pay or allowances during maternity leave.
	The UK already had in place various statutory provisions for maternity leave and pay prior to the Directive. Some changes were subsequently made as a result of the Directive, and other changes have been made, for unrelated reasons, in the intervening years. The Government has therefore made no recent assessment of the costs of the Directive on its own.

European Directives

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the cost to business of the European Directive on Part Time Workers.

Alan Johnson: An assessment of the costs of implementing this Directive was made in the Regulatory Impact Assessment which the Government published alongside the Part Time Workers (Prevention of Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations 2000. A copy was placed in the Libraries of the House on publication, and is available on the DTI website at www.dti.gov.uk/er/review.htm. The RIA estimated that direct costs to employers would be around #27.4 million a year.

European Directives

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the cost to business of the European Directive on European Works Councils.

Alan Johnson: The Department commissioned an independent report into the costs associated with introducing the European Works Council Directive based on a survey of companies with experience of operating such Councils. The results of this study were incorporated into a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA), a copy of which is available in the Library and on the DTI website. The RIA identified a range of potential benefits from European Works Councils for employers, employees and the economy as a whole. The benefits in terms of improving industrial relations, boosting productivity and facilitating change would be felt in the longer term and could not be separately quantified. The costs to individual firms of organising European Works Council meetings were expected to range from #47,000 per year to #175,000 depending on the size of the undertaking. This represents a very small proportion of their turnover, and a valuable investment in improved employer-employee relations.

European Directives

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the cost to business of the European Directive on Young Workers.

Alan Johnson: The Department for Trade and Industry implemented the rest periods and health assessment provisions of the European Directive on Young Workers in respect of those aged from minimum school leaving age to 18th birthday, through the Working Time Regulations 1998. Around 18,000 young workers were estimated to be affected by the implementation of health assessments for adolescent night workers; the costs are estimated to be minimal.
	Implementation of the European Directive on Young Workers below minimum school leaving age is the responsibility of the Department of Health.

Radiocommunications Agency

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what targets she has set her Department's Radiocommunications Agency for 2002–03.

Douglas Alexander: I have set the Radiocommunications Agency the following quality of service targets for 2002–03 in respect of its licensing and enforcement activities, and correspondence. These are in addition to achieving an overall efficiency improvement of 3 per cent. over 2002–02.
	Licensing Targets
	Category A
	Licences that involve no frequency assignment, site clearance or international co-ordination: 100 per cent. of applications for new or varied services to be awarded or rejected (with explanation) within five working days.
	Category B
	Licences that involve frequency assignment but no site clearance or international co-ordination: 90 per cent. of applications for new or varied services to be awarded or rejected (with explanation) within 15 working days; the remainder to be awarded or rejected within 25 working days or an explanation of the delay to be given.
	Category C
	Licences that require frequency assignment and site clearance and/or international co-ordination: 90 per cent. of applications for new or varied services to be awarded or rejected (with explanation) within 40 working days; the remainder to be awarded or rejected within 60 working days or an explanation of the delay to be given.
	Enforcement
	100 per cent. of safety of life services reports of interference to be investigated within 24 hours.
	98 per cent. of business customers reports of interference to be investigated within five working days; the remainder within a further five days.
	98 per cent. of domestic customers reports of interference to be investigated within one month; the remainder within a further month.
	90 per cent. of complaints to be sent a formal case update within 10 working days after the start of an investigation, the remainder within a further 10 days.
	Correspondence
	I also expect all correspondence from hon. Members delegated to the Chief Executive by Ministers or otherwise for reply, and all written complaints addressed to him about Agency service, to be answered within 10 working days of receipt; the Agency's enquiry point to respond to 95 per cent. of calls within 30 second; and 100 per cent. of valid invoices to be paid within 30 days of receipt (or as agreed with the supplier).

Articles of Association

Mark Tami: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will give her consent as holder of the special share to changes in the Articles of Association of BAe Systems plc and Rolls-Royce plc.

Patricia Hewitt: I have reviewed the provisions in place for BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce and have decided to agree to the following changes. In the case of BAE Systems, we have agreed to remove the provision allowing the appointment of a Government Director; to change the current requirements that all Executive Directors are British to a requirement that a simple majority of the Board, including the Chief Executive and any Executive Chairman, are British; and to remove the aggregate foreign shareholding limit. In the case of Rolls-Royce, we have agreed to change the current requirement that 75 per cent. of the Board are British to a requirement that a simple majority, including the Chief Executive and any Executive Chairman, are British; to allow the appointment of a non-British non-Executive Chairman; and to remove the aggregate foreign shareholding limit. There will be no change in the requirements that no individual foreign shareholder, or group of foreign shareholders acting in concert, can hold more than 15 per cent. of the shares in either company. These provisions ensure that neither company can fall under foreign control.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Advertising

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the expenditure was per campaign for the five most expensive media advertising campaigns his Department undertook in the past five parliamentary Sessions including the current parliamentary Session in (a) Scotland, (b) England, (c) Wales and (d) Northern Ireland; and for the last two parliamentary Sessions and the current Session, when each advertising campaign (i) began and (ii) ended in (A) Scotland, (B) England, (C) Wales and (D) Northern Ireland.

Denis MacShane: There has only been one media advertising campaign in the last five years in the UK.
	Between March–May 1998, the FCO carried out a #1 million television and information campaign for British nationals travelling to France for the World Cup.
	The campaign was run in Scotland and England, as they were the only two home teams to qualify.
	Information on when elements of the advertising campaign began and ended in Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Civil Servants (Relocation)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  how many civil servants in his Department have used the services of Cendent or its subsidiaries (a) to relocate in London and (b) to be housed in London since May 1997; what the name was of the company employed in each case; and what the dates were on each occasion;
	(2)  which relocation companies his Department has used when relocating civil servants since May 1997; which relocation companies hold contracts with his Department for the relocation of civil servants; when the contracts were last renewed; where the contracts were advertised; and what the (a) length and (b) value of each contract is.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 11 March 2002
	None.

Energy Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on energy costs incurred by his Department in each of the last 10 years.

Denis MacShane: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on 19 March 2002, Official Report, column 268W.

Israel

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Israel about overflights by the Israeli airforce in Lebanon.

Ben Bradshaw: Embassy officials in Tel Aviv regularly raise overflights with the Israeli authorities, most recently on 26 February 2002. I did so when I visited Israel in July 2001. We remain concerned about continuing tension on the Israeli/Lebanese border. All breaches of the UN delineated XBlue Line", whether by land, sea or air are unacceptable.

Correspondence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the target time will be in 2002–03 for (a) ministers to reply to letters from hon. Members and (b) officials in his Department to reply to letters received directly from members of the public.

Denis MacShane: The FCO target in 2001–02 for ministers to reply to letters from hon. Members is to respond to 89 per cent of correspondence within 20 working days. The target for 2002–03 will be agreed shortly. The FCO target in 2001–02 for replies to letters received directly from members of the public is to respond to 90 per cent. of correspondence within 20 working days. The target for 2002–03 will also be agreed shortly.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which public service agreement targets scheduled to be met in 2002 will not be achieved by the due date.

Denis MacShane: Information about progress on PSA targets will be published in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's 2002 Departmental Report.

Anti-personnel Mines

Frank Cook: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what legal advice he has been given regarding the transit across UK territory of anti-personnel mines by non-states parties to the Ottawa Convention.

Denis MacShane: Such transit would be contrary to the United Kingdom's obligations under the Ottawa Convention.

Brahimi Report

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent steps have been taken by the Government to encourage the UN to implement the Brahimi report.

Denis MacShane: The UK Government support and work towards the implementation of the Secretary General's Report on Peace Operations (Brahimi Report). Many of its recommendations have now been implemented, including those designed to strengthen the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO), improve pre-deployment inspection and training of contingents and enhance mechanisms for consultation with troop contributors.

Global Crossing

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library (a) the contingency plans that his Department has prepared for the contingency that Global Crossing fails, (b) the monitoring reports that his Department's posts in New York and Washington have drawn up of the financial performance of Global Crossing; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: Contingency arrangements are contained in the FCO's contract with Global Crossing, which bars disclosure on the grounds of commercial confidentiality (Exemption 13 of the Code of Practice, on Access Government Information refers). The FCO has kept in touch with posts in Washington and New York, who have monitored local press and market reports on Global Crossing.

Falkland Islands

Frank Cook: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans have been made for the feasibility study into demining the Falkland Islands; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: In October 2001 a Memorandum of Understanding with the Argentines was concluded to enable a British-led feasibility study funded by the Argentines into demining the Falkland Islands to be carried out. The first Joint Working Party (JWP) meeting on the feasibility study was held in Buenos Aires on 3 and 4 December 2001.

South Africa

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of South Africa on the murder of farmers in that country; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: Like the South African Government, we are concerned by the level of crime generally in the country, of which farm attacks are a worrying element. The South African government is working closely with rural communities to tackle the problem.

Macedonia

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the issue of the official name of the FYR of Macedonia.

Denis MacShane: We have had no recent formal discussions with EU partners on this subject. We continue to encourage the Greek and Macedonian Governments to agree a solution under UN mediation.

Secondments

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many BP employees are on secondment to his Department; for what purposes; on what terms; and how many BP employees have been on secondment to his Department since January 2000.

Denis MacShane: holding answer 25 March 2002
	None.

Botswana

Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what have been the results of Government representations to the Government of Botswana to keep its assurances to maintain basic services for the Kalahari Bushmen and not forcibly remove the Bushmen from the Kalahari reserve; if the planned visit to the reserve by the High Commissioner has taken place; and if he will make a statement.

Denis MacShane: The Government of Botswana stopped providing water and other essential supplies to those Bushmen remaining in the Central Kalahari Game Reserve (CKGR) at the end of February despite representations from HMG and others. The Government of Botswana has since said that those Bushmen who remain in the CKGR, estimated at around 60, can remain there if they wish to do so.
	Our High Commission in Gaborone will visit the CKGR within the next three weeks to assess the latest situation.

Australia

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last had discussions with the Australian Government regarding Aboriginal affairs.

Denis MacShane: In general, Aboriginal affairs are the sole responsibility of the Government of Australia and we do not therefore raise them. But we are in touch with the Australians about the repatriation of Aboriginal remains; my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister discussed this with the right hon. John Howard, the Australian Prime Minister on 4 July 2000 and we have established a working group under the Chairmanship of Professor Norman Palmer to consider the matter. My noble friend Baroness Blackstone, has had further discussions this year with the Australian Minister for Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs.
	I myself attended the Aboriginal Yeperenyne Centenary Federation Festival in Alice Springs, Australia, in September 2001.

Thailand

Albert Owen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representation the British Government have made to the Government of Thailand to (a) ascertain the fate of Peter Lionel Sinnott who disappeared in Pattaya on 4 January and (b) encourage the Thai Government to urge the Thai Police to treat the matter with urgency.

Ben Bradshaw: holding reply of 25 March
	On 14 February our Ambassador in Bangkok alerted the Director General for Europe at the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs to the disappearance of Peter Sinnott.
	Since Mr Sinnott's disappearance our Embassy has pressed the Thai police on a number of occasions for information on their progress in locating Peter. In addition, on 18 January and 13 February our consular agent in Pattaya checked with local police stations, hospitals and morgues for information about Mr. Sinnott. On 28 January our Embassy wrote to the Commander of the Tourist Police in Pattaya to register Mr. Sinnott as a missing person. They wrote again on 15 March to express our interest in the investigation into Mr. Sinnott's disappearance and to ask for a report on the action taken by the police to locate him. We will continue to press for this information.

St. Helena

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who will be representing the Government at the 500th anniversary celebrations of the Island of St. Helena.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 20 March 2002, Official Report, column 389W.

United States

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his United States counterpart in respect of the implications for the future effectiveness of the Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty of the United States Nuclear Posture Review 2002.

Ben Bradshaw: We have discussed the broad findings of the Nuclear Posture Review with the US Administration. We have also had several discussions with the US Administration on issues related to nuclear non-proliferation, including various meetings in view of the forthcoming First Preparatory Committee in the current cycle of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review process. The US continues to confirm the importance it attaches to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which is the cornerstone of non-proliferation.

Departmental Staff

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many persons are employed by his Department to accompany visitors from abroad; and if he will list (a) their names and (b) their salary scales.

Denis MacShane: The Conference and Visits Group of FCO Services draws from 46 fee-paid liaison officers who accompany official visitors and guests of Government.
	Liaison Officers are remunerated on a daily basis in accordance with their duties for each visitor in accordance with good employer practice, and under Exemptions 8a and 12 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information it is not appropriate to release a list of such freelance employees into the public domain.

Overseas Visits

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list his overseas visits since 7 June 2001.

Denis MacShane: Since 1997 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing #500 or more during each financial year. Details of travel undertaken since 1 April 2001 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the 2001–02 financial year. Copies of previous lists are available in the Libraries of the House.

Camp X-ray

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent reports he has received on the situation relating to the British Taliban and al-Qaeda suspects held at Camp X-ray in Guantanamo Bay.

Ben Bradshaw: We remain in touch with the US authorities about the position of the detainees at Guantanamo Bay, in particular that of the five UK detainees there. For details of the British detainees welfare, I refer my hon. Friend to my reply of 4 March to my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Anniesland (Mr. John Robertson), Official Report, columns 69–70W.
	We welcome the publication of the Procedure for Trials by Military Commission of Certain Non-United States Citizens in the War against Terrorism by the US Government on 21 March.

Gujarat

Ann Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in the Gujarat state of India.

Ben Bradshaw: We share the deep concern of Britain's Muslim and Hindu communities over the current religious tensions and violence in Gujarat. We welcome the efforts of the Indian Government in raising the security presence in these areas to restore law and order. We are also concerned by reports that the Gujarat police failed to take adequate steps to reduce the conflict once it became clear that the violence was escalating. Our High Commission in New Delhi will continue to monitor the situation closely.
	India is a secular country in which the right to freedom of religion is enshrined in the constitution. However, we continue to raise our concerns over incidents of religious intolerance in India, including attacks against Muslims, Hindus and Christians. We will continue to urge the Indian authorities to ensure the right of freedom of religion is upheld, and that those responsible for attacks on religious minorities are brought to justice.

Vietnam

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Vietnam regarding the persecution of Christians.

Ben Bradshaw: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Redcar (Vera Baird) of 26 February, Official Report, column 1159W. Since then the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has raised our concerns about religious freedom with the Vietnamese Ambassador, and the EU Human Rights Working Group in Hanoi has raised our concerns with the Vietnamese government about their treatment of the Mennonite leader Pastor Quang.

Ministerial Visits (Yugoslavia)

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last visited Yugoslavia; and what plans he has to visit in the future.

Denis MacShane: Although the Secretary of State has had a number of contacts with Yugoslav leaders, he has not visited the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia since taking up his duties in June 2001. There are no immediate plans for such a visit.
	As the Minister responsible for relations with the FRY I have visited Belgrade twice, from 18–19 July 2001, and from 6–7 February 2002 as well as other visits to the former Yugoslavia.

Burma

Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations she is making to the Burmese Government with regard to their treatment of internally displaced Karen people and other minorities; and what resources are being provided to support the Karen refugees leaving Burma for Thailand.

Ben Bradshaw: The UK has been at the forefront of the international community's effort to press for national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy in Burma. The ethnic minority areas of Burma, including those of the Karen, suffer disproportionately as a result of the regime's rule. The EU has adopted a Common Position including an arms embargo, bans on high level visits, items which may be used for torture, non-humanitarian aid, and a visa ban and asset freeze on members of the regime. We are also active in the United Nations, annually co-sponsoring resolutions at the UN General Assembly and UN Commission on Human Rights.
	In financial year 2001–02 we have increased funding for the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Burmese Border Consortium and the United Nations High Commission for Refugee's work with Burmese refugees and those internally displaced within Burma.

Burma

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent meetings he has had with representatives from Burma; and what was discussed.

Ben Bradshaw: Ministerial contact with the Burmese authorities is limited by the EU Common Position. However an FCO official visited Rangoon from 27 February–1 March where he met both Aung San Suu Kyi and members of the Burmese government. The Burmese government is aware of our views about the urgent need for national reconciliation, respect for human rights and the restitution of democracy in Burma.

Burma

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the human rights situation in Burma and steps taken by the Government to help the Karen people.

Ben Bradshaw: The overall human rights situation in Burma remains poor and a cause of grave concern. The ethnic minority areas, including those of the Karen, suffer disproportionately under the regime's rule. We are currently working with EU colleagues to prepare a resolution to be submitted at the UN Commission on Human Rights that will express our concerns and call upon the Burmese regime to take urgent action to improve the situation.
	In 2001–02 we have increased funding for the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Burmese Border Consortium and the United Nations High Commission for Refugees' work with Burmese refugees and those internally displaced within Burma. Both these groups include large numbers of Karen.

Burma

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plan he has to bring investment sanctions against Burma (a) unilaterally and (b) with the (i) UN, (ii) EU and (iii) Commonwealth.

Ben Bradshaw: The EU has adopted a Common position including an arms embargo, bans on high level visits, items which may be used for torture, non-humanitarian aid, and a visa ban and asset freeze on members of the regime. The EC has also suspended Burma trading privileges in response to the use of forced labour in Burma. In addition, the UK does not encourage trade, investment or tourism with Burma. We do not offer assistance to any British company wishing to trade with Burma. There is hardly any new investment into the country.
	There is no consensus at this point to implement a formal ban in any of the international forums listed. Against this background and in consideration of the evolving political situation in Burma, including the gradual release of political prisoners and the lessening of the pressure on opposition parties, there are no plans to pursue formal investment bans at this point. We will follow events closely and will respond proportionately to further developments, positive or negative.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Defence Grants

Stephen Pound: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will publish the (a) aggregate amount of civil defence grants to be made for the financial year 2002–03, (b) amount of grant to be paid in to each local authority and (c) criteria used to determine the allocation between authorities; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The aggregate amount is #18,968,850 of which #100,000 will be retained as discretionary grant for special projects and special events deemed of benefit to the wider emergency planning community in England and Wales.
	The remaining #18,868,850 will be allocated to individual authorities as set out in the table below.
	The following formula has been adopted to determine these allocations. First, each authority receives #53,000. Second, each county council receives #12,000 in respect of each shire district within the authority's boundaries. These flat-rate payments account for some 65 per cent. of the aggregate grant in recognition of the fact that every authority, regardless of size and population, must incur similar unavoidable costs in conducting the basic emergency planning function. The remainder of the total grant (approximately 35 per cent.) is then distributed according to the Bellwin threshold in recognition of the fact that population size provides a rough proxy for the scale of the emergency planning that authorities need to undertake.
	A simple application of the formula would result in some authorities facing a significant decrease on the grant they had received during the current financial year, whilst others would receive a significant increase. Mindful of the importance of keeping such year-on-year changes within reasonable bounds, a damping has been added to the formula so that no authority loses more than 10 per cent. or gains more than 20 per cent. compared with the current year.
	Before reaching decisions on this allocation method, consultations were held with Local Authority representatives on the basis of a draft formula. As a result of the representations made, that original formula was amended to give greater weight to the flat rate element and lesser weight to the element distributed by reference to the Bellwin threshold. The damping was also changed to reduce the floor level for losses.
	
		
			 Local Authority Grant allocation for 2002–03 (#) 
		
		
			 Barking & Dagenham 75,583 
			 Barnet 80,268 
			 Barnsley 75,690 
			 Bath and N.E. Somerset 89,625 
			 Bedfordshire 136,125 
			 Bexley 78,372 
			 Birmingham 186,994 
			 Blackburn with Darwen 70,272 
			 Blackpool 66,276 
			 Blaenau Gwent 62,697 
			 Bolton 82,288 
			 Bournemouth 69,736 
			 Bracknell Forest 63,513 
			 Bradford 125,370 
			 Brent 86,206 
			 Bridgend 67,937 
			 Brighton & Hove 80,786 
			 Bristol 98,100 
			 Bromley 84,594 
			 Buckinghamshire 200,171 
			 Bury 70,809 
			 Caerphilly 72,702 
			 Calderdale 74,188 
			 Cambridgeshire 162,671 
			 Camden 83,789 
			 Cardiff 86,936 
			 Carmarthenshire 73,472 
			 Ceredigion 63,757 
			 Cheshire 189,583 
			 City of London 59,759 
			 Conwy 64,425 
			 Cornwall 188,893 
			 Coventry 77,390 
			 Croydon 90,280 
			 Cumbria 215,730 
			 Darlington 63,513 
			 Denbighshire 71,048 
			 Derby 76,117 
			 Derbyshire 220,073 
			 Devon 216,908 
			 Doncaster 85,130 
			 Dorset 175,500 
			 Dudley 82,522 
			 Durham 213,215 
			 Ealing 89,958 
			 East Riding of Yorkshire 71,880 
			 East Sussex 207,902 
			 Enfield 87,812 
			 Essex 314,726 
			 Flintshire 77,355 
			 Gateshead 78,754 
			 Gloucestershire 189,574 
			 Greater Manchester EP 63,674 
			 Greenwich 86,096 
			 Gwynedd 67,312 
			 Hackney 87,759 
			 Halton 67,751 
			 Hammersmith & Fulham 76,333 
			 Hampshire 298,610 
			 Haringey 85,238 
			 Harrow 65,340 
			 Hartlepool 64,264 
			 Havering 77,299 
			 Herefordshire 69,843 
			 Hertfordshire 310,500 
			 Hillingdon 81,000 
			 Hounslow 80,356 
			 Hull (Kingston upon Hull) 71,879 
			 Isle of Anglesey 60,956 
			 Isle of Wight 71,844 
			 Isles of Scilly 53,322 
			 Islington 83,038 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 74,402 
			 Kent 339,200 
			 Kingston upon Thames 67,268 
			 Kirklees 95,045 
			 Knowsley 73,973 
			 Lambeth 87,403 
			 Lancashire 314,847 
			 Leeds 172,601 
			 Leicester City 88,510 
			 Leicestershire 192,571 
			 Lewisham 83,592 
			 Lincolnshire 212,407 
			 Liverpool 97,262 
			 London FEPA 151,439 
			 Luton 59,508 
			 Manchester 147,281 
			 Medway 81,161 
			 Merseyside 72,946 
			 Merthyr Tydfil 60,612 
			 Merton 71,667 
			 Middlesbrough 70,969 
			 Milton Keynes 81,018 
			 Monmouthshire 61,768 
			 Neath Port Talbot 69,873 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne 102,437 
			 Newham 87,840 
			 Newport 68,230 
			 Norfolk 276,427 
			 North East Lincolnshire 71,238 
			 North Lincolnshire 69,146 
			 North Somerset 70,862 
			 North Tyneside 73,705 
			 North Yorkshire 244,137 
			 Northamptonshire 238,874 
			 Northumberland 187,736 
			 Nottingham City 85,935 
			 Nottinghamshire 210,541 
			 Oldham 78,908 
			 Oxfordshire 202,073 
			 Pembrokeshire 66,349 
			 Peterborough 71,828 
			 Plymouth 81,322 
			 Poole 66,249 
			 Portsmouth 74,081 
			 Powys 85,500 
			 Reading 67,000 
			 Redbridge 82,180 
			 Redcar and Cleveland 69,307 
			 Rhondda Cynon Taff 81,933 
			 Richmond upon Thames 69,038 
			 Rochdale 76,924 
			 Rotherham 81,268 
			 Rutland 56,057 
			 Salford 72,000 
			 Sandwell 88,027 
			 Sefton 83,629 
			 Sheffield 96,000 
			 Shropshire 153,448 
			 Slough Borough 68,180 
			 Solihull 73,330 
			 Somerset 163,973 
			 South Tyneside 71,130 
			 South Yorkshire EP 83,970 
			 Southampton 77,084 
			 Southend 71,580 
			 Southwark 76,957 
			 St Helens 72,947 
			 Staffordshire 226,456 
			 South Gloucestershire 75,797 
			 Stockport 79,606 
			 Stockton-on-Tees 73,491 
			 Stoke-on-Trent 74,027 
			 Suffolk 221,400 
			 Sunderland 100,721 
			 Surrey 297,002 
			 Sutton 72,740 
			 Swansea 78,547 
			 Swindon 70,969 
			 Tameside 76,924 
			 Telford and Wrekin 71,999 
			 Thurrock 68,280 
			 Torbay 67,054 
			 Torfaen 64,490 
			 Tower Hamlets 93,123 
			 Trafford 75,368 
			 Tyne & Wear 34,506 
			 Vale of Glamorgan 71,999 
			 Wakefield 86,281 
			 Walsall 83,253 
			 Waltham Forest 83,146 
			 Wandsworth 78,769 
			 Warrington 72,418 
			 Warwickshire 181,336 
			 West Berkshire 67,429 
			 West Midlands EP 60,000 
			 West Sussex 225,000 
			 West Yorkshire EP 61,207 
			 Westminster 86,418 
			 Wigan 84,111 
			 Wiltshire 194,400 
			 Windsor & Maidenhead 66,410 
			 Wirral 89,475 
			 Wokingham 66,142 
			 Wolverhampton 81,644 
			 Worcestershire 186,449 
			 Wrexham 72,540 
			 York, City of 71,834

Public Appointments (Women)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which Government departments are expected to reach the target of equal representation for women in public appointments by 2005.

Christopher Leslie: Public Bodies: Opening up Public Appointments 2002–05, was published on 14 February. This publication provides the latest targets set by individual departments for increasing diversity on the boards of non-departmental public bodies and other public bodies, and describes the action that departments will take to achieve them. Copies have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Consultants

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total cost to his Department was of the use of external consultants in each of the last four years.

Christopher Leslie: The total cost to the Cabinet Office and the Central Office of Information for the use of consultants in each of the last four complete financial years is as follows:
	1997–98 #5,531,000
	1998–99 #8,098,000
	1999–2000 #10,812,000
	2000–01 #10,927,000.
	The period 1997–98 included #501,049 on e-government IT consultants commissioned by the Central IT Unit (CITU). Expenditure on this topic was #3,138,437 in 1998–99, #5,046,618 in 1999–2000 and #3,543,147 in 2000–01. Expenditure in 1998–99 and 1999–2000 increased to include Y2K work and in 2000–01 a decrease in expenditure in those areas was offset by work on UK Online following an expansion of e-Government work in the 2000 Spending Review. Other Cabinet Office consultancy spend is on research and IT developments.

Consultants

Theresa May: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total cost was of management consultants across all Government departments in the last available year.

Christopher Leslie: Information for all Government Departments is not held centrally, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Individual departments are responsible for their own consultancy arrangements.
	For the information relating to my Department, I refer the hon. Member to the answer have given today to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Mr. Bercow).

Consultants

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the total external spending by his Department was on public private partnership consultants in each of the last four years; how many full-time equivalent consultants were employed over this period; how many billed consultancy days there were per year; what the implied average cost of each PPP consultant was; how many consultancy firms were used by his Department over this period; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to him on 6 February 2002, Official Report, column 944W.

Permanent Secretaries

Ian Davidson: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what (a) number and (b) percentage of permanent secretaries attended (i) Oxford and Cambridge, (ii) independent schools and (iii) both; if he will provide these figures for each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: For current holders of Permanent Secretary posts in the Home Civil Service, the figures are:
	20 studied for their first degree at Oxford or Cambridge University (59 per cent.);
	14 attended independent schools (41 per cent.); and
	13 attended both (38 per cent.).
	Historic data on the educational backgrounds of Permanent Secretary postholders are not held centrally and could only be collected at disproportionate cost.

Press Office

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many staff in his Department's press office have (a) termination and (b) redundancy payments in each of the last four years.

John Prescott: None.

Advertising

Hywel Williams: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how much the Government have spent on advertising in each year since 1993 in (a) English, (b) Welsh and (c) Welsh and English.

Christopher Leslie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Twickenham on 12 December 2001, Official Report, column 939W.
	Figures for the financial year 1992–93 to 1994–95 are not held centrally, and could only be provide at disproportionate cost.
	The only advertising undertaken by the COI is for recruitment. All recruitment advertising is in English.

Consultancy Services

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what proportion of work commissioned by Government Departments has been undertaken by (a) Arthur Andersen, (b) Ernst & Young, (c) PricewaterhouseCoopers in each year since 1978.

Christopher Leslie: Pursuant to my reply of 14 February, columns 562–64, I regret that the information provided was incorrect. The table should have read:
	
		Per cent. 
		
			  1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 to date2 
		
		
			 Arthur Andersen 0 0 0 0.51 22.09 
			 Ernst & Young 1.55 10.45 2.05 0.04 20 
			 PricewaterhouseCoopers1 10.35 2.19 2.16 5.15 24.40 
		
	
	Notes:
	1 1997–98 figure for Price Waterhouse and Coopers & Lybrand.
	2 2001–02 figures for year to end January and subject to audit.

Car and Despatch Agency

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many vehicles in the Government's Car and Despatch Agency are run on (a) petrol, (b) diesel, (c) liquefied petroleum gas, (d) compressed natural gas and (e) other alternative fuels.

Christopher Leslie: I have been asked to reply.
	Responsibility for the Government Car Service and the InterDespatch Service has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car Despatch Agency. I have asked its chief executive, Mr. Nick Matheson, to write to the hon. Gentleman.
	I have placed copies of the letter in the Library of the House.

Confidential Information

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what steps he has taken to co-ordinate a system across Departments by which members of the public can give confidential information.

Christopher Leslie: The Cabinet Office co-ordinates no such system across Departments.

External Contracts

Pete Wishart: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  which non-accounting and non-information technology external organisations have won new contracts with (a) his Department and (b) executive agencies in each of the past five years;
	(2)  which non-accounting and non-information technology external organisations which previously held contracts with his Department (a) won new contracts at the culmination of the existing contracts and (b) won new contracts after a period of inactivity with his Department in each of the past five years.

Christopher Leslie: The specific information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. However for information on the top 10 largest suppliers to the Cabinet Office for the years since 1997, I refer the hon. Member to the answer which I gave earlier today (PQ 38764).

External Contracts

Pete Wishart: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, if he will list the 30 largest contracts awarded by his Department from (a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999, (c) May 1999 to April 2000, (d) May 2000 to April 2001 and (e) May 2001 to the latest date, indicating in each case the values of the contracts and the companies with which the contracts were placed.

Christopher Leslie: Listed below are the 10 largest suppliers to the Cabinet Office for each financial year since 1997–98.
	1997–98
	Paymaster (1836)
	The Stationery Office
	Digital Equipment Company
	Sutcliffe Catering (UK)
	Chessington Computer Services
	Haymills Contractors
	Glasgows
	Serco
	E C Harris
	Logica UK
	1998–99
	Paymaster (1836)
	Compaq Computer
	Sutcliffe Catering (UK)
	The Stationery Office
	Drivers Jonas
	Chessington Computer Services
	Serco
	Glasgows
	Computacenter
	Claybrook Computing
	1999–2000
	Holloway White Allom
	Paymaster (1836)
	Serco
	Compaq Computer
	Balfour Beatty Refurbishment
	Claybrook Computing
	Sutcliffe Catering (UK)
	Drivers Jonas
	The Stationery Office
	Computacenter
	2000–01
	Computacenter
	Compaq Computer
	Syntegra
	Paymaster (1836)
	Cable & Wireless Communication
	Holloway White Allom
	Serco
	Berwin Leighton
	Drivers Jonas
	Sema Group UK
	2001–02 to date
	Balfour Beatty Refurbishment
	Sema Group UK
	Cable & Wireless Communication
	Paymaster (1836)
	Compaq Computer
	Computacenter
	PA Consulting Group
	Capita Business Services
	Serco
	British Telecoms.
	Further information of the sort requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Special Advisers

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the number and expected cost to his Department of special advisers in (a) 2001–02 and (b) 2002–03.

John Prescott: At 21 March, there are two full time and two part time Special Advisers in my office.
	On cost, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 20 March 2002, Official Report, Hansard, column 324W.

Departmental Contracts

Vincent Cable: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the 30 largest contracts awarded by his Department from (a) May 1997 to April 1998, (b) May 1998 to April 1999, (c) May 1999 to April 2000, (d) May 2000 to April 2001 and (e) May 2001 to the latest date for which figures are available, stating in each case the values of the contracts and the companies with which the contracts were placed.

Christopher Leslie: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I have given today to the hon. Member for North Tayside, (Pete Wishart).

PFI/PPPs

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the (a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership projects which have been delayed.

Christopher Leslie: The Sunningdale Park Property Project is this Department's only PFI project. It was originally envisaged that the contract would be awarded in 1999. Various complications mean that we are now working towards a start date next month.

PFI/PPPs

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the difference was between the price offered in reaching preferred bidder stage and the final contract price for the five largest PFI contracts let by his Department in each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement.

Christopher Leslie: The Sunningdale Park Project is this Department's only current PFI project and has not yet reached final contract stage. My Department has had no other PFI projects in the last four years.

Creche Facilities

John Bercow: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what creche facilities are provided by his Department; and at what cost.

Christopher Leslie: The Cabinet Office provides creche facilities for staff at the Civil Service College in Sunningdale, which is run in partnership with the Edith Rose Day Nursery. This service is also available to parents on residential courses at the college.
	Staff in London have access to the Westminster Holiday Playscheme, which is available during the school holidays.
	Eligible staff in all locations are able to apply for childcare vouchers. These support parents to make their own choices about where and what type of childcare they want for their child. Vouchers are payable over 48 weeks per annum and are for #21 a week for staff who work full time and either have a partner who works full time or are single parents; or pro-rata for staff who work or who have partners who work part-time. Staff using a subsidised nursery place at Sunningdale are not eligible for childcare vouchers.
	The Department is conducting a review of childcare and will be taking account of the recommendations in due course.
	The Regional Co-ordination Unit and the Government Offices for the Regions have not been included as the information is not held centrally, and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.
	A table showing the type of childcare provision in my department; the number of parents who used it; the cost to the department; and the cost per head is below:
	
		
			  Cabinet Office Type of childcare provision Number of parents using childcare Cost to the Department Cost per head 
		
		
			  Nursery 8 #9,732.97 #134 per week. Subsidy of #41.50 per week for people earning less than #19,000 and #26 per week for people earning less than #24,001. 
			  Westminster Holiday Playscheme 49 #4,291.59 #17.67 a day up until 30 September 2001. #26 a day from 1 October 2001. Subsidy of 50%. 
			  Childcare Vouchers 85 #63,384.02 #21 a week for full-time, pro-rata for part-time. 
			 Central Office of Information Westminster Holiday Playscheme 4 #237 #17.67 a day up until 30 September 2001. #26 a day from 1 October 2001. Subsidy of 50%.

Unpaid Advisers

Alan Beith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the names of the unpaid advisers appointed by him since June 1997, stating in each case (a) the date of their appointment, (b) the duration of their appointment and (c) the project or projects on which they have been engaged.

Christopher Leslie: No unpaid advisers have been appointed by the Deputy Prime Minister under the terms of paragraph 51 of the Ministerial Code.
	For details of unpaid appointments made by this Department to task forces, review groups and other ad hoc advisory groups, I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Rhondda on 16 November 2001, Official Report, column 958W.

Access to Information

Tony Wright: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will list the administrative manuals and internal guidance which his Department has made public as required by Part 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information; and which of these were first made available after May 1997.

John Prescott: The Cabinet Office's internet website contains numerous examples of guidance that have been made public. However, no central record is maintained of what has been made public by the Cabinet Office under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Open Government

Llew Smith: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what requests have been received by the Cabinet Secretary for the release of documents assessing progress on the release of historic official files under the Open Government Initiative.

John Prescott: No requests have been received personally by the Cabinet Secretary for the release of documents assessing progress on the release of historic files under the Open Government Initiative. There have, however, been a number of requests since 1997 to the Cabinet Office openness contact.

Saville Inquiry

Crispin Blunt: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what costs have been incurred since 28 January by his Department in connection with the Saville Inquiry; and what his estimate is of the final cost to his Department.

John Prescott: Cabinet Office does not employ staff full-time on Bloody Sunday Inquiry work. Since 28 January a few staff have spent a small amount of time dealing with issues relating to the Inquiry, but they absorb this task into their normal duties, so staff time costs are not separately calculated. It is not possible to forecast the final cost to the Cabinet Office because of the uncertainties.

ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Departmental Publications

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many publications were issued by her Department between 8 June and 26 October.

Elliot Morley: Our records show that we issued 130 publications, excluded are any reprints of previously published items, posters, official forms and stationery. We have also recorded 33 consultation documents as posted on the DEFRA Website during the period. Publication activity, not centrally managed has not been included, as recovery of this information would be at a disproportionate cost.

Newspaper Advertising

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what has been the expenditure of her (a) Department, (b) agencies and (c) non-departmental public bodies on newspaper advertising by title for each year sine 1997.

Elliot Morley: Please find a list of the titles used for advertising DEFRA campaigns in national and regional printed media by DEFRA Communications Directorate as from 8 June 2001. The target audience and the information to be conveyed influences the choice of media used. The information for the period prior to 8 June 2001 for the merged bodies within DEFRA, as with the expenditure for the agencies and non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally and could only be supplied at disproportionate cost.
	
		DEFRA press spend from 8 June 2001 to 15 January 2002 by publication -- Prepared: 14 January 2002
		
			 Publication Spend (#) 
		
		
			 Daily Express 3,226.00 
			 Daily Mail 8,885.00 
			 Guardian 9,677.00 
			 Times 6,241.00 
			 The Scotsman 7,136.00 
			 Birmingham Post 1,866.00 
			 Yorkshire Post 1,484.00 
			 Manchester Evening News 20,595.00 
			 Newcastle Journal 9,045.00 
			 Birmingham Evening Mail 5,308.00 
			 Bradford Telegraph & Argus 7,869.00 
			 Brighton Evening News 1,469.00 
			 Bristol Evening Post 8,335.00 
			 Bristol Western Daily Press 6,185.00 
			 Darlington Northern Echo 4,336.00 
			 Eastern Daily Press 3,901.00 
			 Hull Daily Mail 1,471.00 
			 Lancs Evening Telegraph 5,273.00 
			 Leeds Yorkshire Evening Post 20,019.00 
			 Leicester Mercury 9,332.00 
			 Liverpool Daily Post 5,865.00 
			 Nottingham Evening Post 10,979.00 
			 Oxford Mail 1,048.00 
			 Western Morning News 912.00 
			 Sheffield Star 11,167.00 
			 Stoke-on-Trent Evening Sentinel 7,107.00 
			 London Standard 4,790.00 
			 Western Mail 8,199.00 
			 Wolverhampton Express & Star 22,892.00 
			 Carlisle Evening News & Star 679.00 
			 Birmingham Evening Mail 10,616.00 
			 Southern Daily Echo 1,122.00 
			 Chester Mail 634.00 
			 Craven Herald & Pioneer 414.00 
			 Harrogate Advertiser Series 2,315.00 
			 Kent Messenger 1,546.00 
			 Farmers Weekly 22,508.00 
			 Farmers News 17,790.00 
			 New Scientist 6,613.00 
			 Farmers Guardian 5,040.00 
			 Scottish Farmer 475.00 
			 Commercial Motor 3,240.00 
			 Motor Transport 3,881.00 
			 Freight Magazine 1,066.00 
			 Angling Times 1,449.00 
			 Anglers Mail 1,882.00 
			 Beef Farmer 1,987.00 
			 South West Farmer 1,890.00 
			  
			 Total 299,759.00

Departmental Expenditure (Publications)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her estimate is of the expenditure of her Department on newspaper, magazines and periodicals in each of the last four years.

Elliot Morley: DEFRA was created on 8 June 2001, the estimated centralised DEFRA expenditure for newspapers, magazines and periodicals via the libraries supporting the Department is #140,000 for the current financial year. Expenditure incurred outside the management of the libraries for this type of expenditure cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate cost.

Departmental Communications

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the process used by her Department to issue circulars to farmers and growers; how often mailing lists are updated; and what system is in place to ensure that circulars are issued to farmers and growers in an enterprise-specific manner.

Elliot Morley: The print production, distribution and mailing of circulars to farmers and growers is provided by commercial firms appointed by DEFRA Communication Directorate. The Directorate is provided with mailing lists by relevant policy divisions. It is the responsibility of these divisions to establish and amend the material on such lists.

Fraud

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she is taking to prevent fraudulent claims for agricultural subsidies; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 28 February 2002
	The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) takes rigorous action to prevent fraudulent claims by having in place stringent controls for each of the schemes that it administers. Control plans are set up using risk analysis techniques and are regularly reviewed. RPA Inspectorate carries out pre and post payments checks in accordance with the relevant Community regulations.
	RPA Counter Fraud and Compliance Unit carries out an annual programme of scrutiny control audits in accordance with EC Regulation 4045/89 using a systematic approach in order to prevent and detect irregularities and fraud. The Unit's Investigation and Intelligence section makes enquiries into all referred allegations of suspected fraud and conducts a full investigation where appropriate.

Age Discrimination

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what her Department's policy is towards age discrimination.

Elliot Morley: Age has been integrated into the Department's equal opportunities policy, including a commitment that there should be no unfair discrimination on the basis of age. Departmental Diversity policies also make clear that all staff should be respected and valued.
	Staff in administrative and support grades may continue working up to 65 (subject to continued efficiency) and short service concessions are available to those in other grades with less than 20 years' service at normal retirement age.
	In line with the recommendation in the Policy and Innovation Unit report, XWinning the Generation Game", the Department is actively considering the case for allowing other staff the option of retirement at up to age 65.

Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she intends to reply to the letter to her dated 25 January from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton, with regard to Cait Cawley.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 12 March 2002
	I am sorry for the delay in replying. A response to my hon. Friend's letter was sent on 28 February 2002.

Pollution

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her reply of 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 220W, on pollution control; if she will list the key stakeholders referred to; how her Department uses the comments received from key stakeholders, since when these reports have been published, and if she will place in the Library copies of unpublished reports; if she will provide details of the process by which the reports are considered; if she will list the decisions made on what steps should be taken since these reports were first published; and what steps have been taken to reinforce to local authorities the importance of adopting such practice.

Michael Meacher: The key Local Air Pollution Control stakeholders are the members of the Industrial Pollution Liaison Committee and the Industry Forum, which meet twice a year. The Committee and Forum comprise respectively, organisations representing local enforcing authority regulators and trade bodies representing regulated industries. A copy of the statistical report is also now sent to the Environmental Industries Commission, who I recently met to discuss Local Air pollution Control among other matters. Any comments made by these stakeholders are carefully considered.
	Statistics have been produced from the annual LAPC statistical survey since it was first undertaken for the year 1991–92 and have from the outset been provided to members of the Committee and (from its establishment) the Forum. A copy of the statistics covering the period 1991–00 is being placed in the Library. The reports for 2000–01 is on the Department's website. In addition, XLocal Air Pollution Control in England and Wales; Five Year Report 1991–96" was published in December 1996 and contained a statistical review. The reports are considered by officials and the key findings are reported to Ministers. The statistics have helped inform policy on LAPC throughout the lifetime of the regime.
	Officials raised the importance of local authorities adopting cost accounting in discussion with the Local Government Association and, when the opportunity arose, in discussion with individual local authorities. The issue was discussed at the Industrial Pollution Liaison Committee.

Pollution

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 219W, on local air pollution control, what guidance has been given to local authorities in each case; and if she will (a) provide a definition of low inspection record, (b) state on what date all local authorities were written to, provide details of to whom within each local authority these letters were addressed and place a copy of the standard letter in the Library, (c) provide details of responses to these letters and (d) state what outcomes she expects from the letter to chief executives.

Michael Meacher: Guidance on inspection under the Local Air Pollution Control (LAPC) system was issued by the Department of the Environment in 1995 in additional guidance note reference (AQ4(95)). In 2000 local authorities were publicly listed which undertook an average of less than 0.5 inspections per process in a year. In 2001 the threshold was raised to one inspection. Letters were sent on 8 November 2001 to the chief environmental health officer of most of the relevant local authorities; a further four authorities were written to on 28 February 2002. I am placing a copy in the Library of the House. All except two of the local authorities written to on 8 November have responded with improvements they intend to make to their inspection performance. My Department is in contact with the remaining two authorities over their responses. I expect the letter to local authority chief executives to focus the minds of local authorities on the importance of carrying out sufficient process inspection in undertaking their LAPC regulatory functions.

Beef

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations she has received from the Scottish Executive concerning the French ban on UK beef since the Barcelona Summit.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 25 March 2002
	None. However, the Scottish Executive wrote to the Secretary of State on 13 March about remarks made by the new French Minister of Agriculture. The Secretary of State wrote to the French Minister and to the Commission on 15 March. The Commission wrote to the French Government on 20 March seeking observations on France's failure to comply with the ruling of the European Court of Justice (ECJ). This is the first state in a process which may lead to a further ECJ case against France.

Beef

Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures she is taking to promote the export of beef and beef products.

Margaret Beckett: holding answer 14 March 2002
	The promotion of exports of beef and beef products is primarily the responsibility of the Meat and Livestock Commission (MLC), a non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by DEFRA. DEFRA's International Relations and Export Promotion division liaises closely with the MLC concerning the promotion of exports of British meat, livestock and genetics and the MLC is participating in a number of DEFRA's overseas trade fair stands, missions and other events this year. DEFRA chairs a Beef Exports Liaison Group which includes exporters and the MLC and which will be meeting on 16 April to discuss the best way of promoting beef exports once the trade resumes.

Bio-security

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what percentage of (a) food imports and (b) livestock imports were impounded or refused entry to the UK on the grounds of bio-security in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 15 March 2002
	The information below relates to consignments of products of animal origin correctly presented at border inspection posts from non-EU countries but rejected because they did not fully meet import requirements. The reason for rejection is not recorded. Information on other imported food and products of animal origin from other EU member States is not held centrally.
	
		
			  Year Percentage of imported food of animal origin rejected 
		
		
			 1997 1.7% (790 rejected out of 45,842) 
			 1998 2.0% (994 rejected out of 49,152) 
			 1999 2.3% (1,004 rejected out of 42,900) 
			 2000 2.8% (1,274 rejected out of 44,616) 
			 January to November 2001 3.9% (1,690 rejected out of 43,597) 
		
	
	In addition, since April 2001, we have been advised of 1,183 seizures of illegally imported products of animal origin. We do not hold figures for the last five years.
	The information below relates to imports of livestock into the UK from all EU and non-EU countries which were rejected or detained because they did not fully comply with the import requirements. The information includes birds and poultry but excludes fish and bees since statistics can only be obtained at disproportionate cost. The reason for rejection or detention is not recorded.
	
		
			 Year Percentage of imported livestock rejected or detained 
		
		
			 1997 0.02% 
			 (852 rejected/detained out of 4,289,874) 
			 1998 0.002% 
			 (301 rejected/detained out of 15,340,000) 
			 1999 0.0005% 
			 (234 rejected/detained out of 40,450,000) 
			 2000 0.007% 
			 (534 rejected/detained out of 7,796,332) 
			 2001 0.005% 
			 (374 rejected/detained out of 8,391,686) 
		
	
	All figures are provisional and subject to change.

Transitional Derogations

Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, pursuant to her answer of 12 February 2002, Official Report, column 276W, on Poland, if she will list the transitional derogations relating to agriculture and fisheries upon which Malta and Poland are negotiating with the European Union.

Elliot Morley: In the fisheries and agriculture negotiations Malta and Poland have put forward a range of requests relating to issues such as access to their waters by other EU vessels, marketing specifications for agricultural products, and to food processing establishments. These are set out in negotiating documents submitted to the Intergovernmental Conference on enlargement. Detailed disclosure is at the discretion of the candidate country.
	Negotiations on agriculture are continuing, but fisheries negotiations with all candidates except Malta and Poland have been provisionally concluded. Details of the requests provisionally agreed are available on the Commission's website: http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/enlargement/negotiations/chapters/index.htm.

Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment her Department has made of (a) the average effect on SAP ratings, (b) the average reduction in fuel bills and (c) the energy saving resulting from the measures taken to date of properties subject to the home energy efficiency scheme.

Michael Meacher: holding answer 18 March 2002
	Information from the scheme managers indicates that:
	(a) average improvements in SAP ratings for properties receiving grants under the Scheme range from 12–18 points;
	(b) information is not collected on actual reductions in fuel bills. The maximum potential saving is estimated to be in excess of #200 with estimated actual savings, taking account that some of the benefit will be taken in the form of increased thermal comfort, ranging between #110–155;
	(c) the estimated CO2 reduction per property is estimated to be between 1.47–1.89 tonnes/pa.

Hemswell Cliff

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total tonnage is that can be stored in the Hemswell Cliff Cold Stores; and what alternative storage facilities there are in the UK.

Elliot Morley: The refrigerated storage capacity of Hemswell Cliff Cold Store is 10,000 tonnes spread equally over two sheds. A Government owned cold storage facility at Locharbriggs near Dumfries, capable of holding 5,000 tonnes is also available to the Rural Payments Agency and further commercial storage can be acquired to supplement these facilities as necessary.

Hemswell Cliff

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the annual cost is of providing the refrigerated storage at the Intervention Board facility at Hemswell Cliff.

Elliot Morley: Hemswell Cliff is one of two Government owned cold stores which are in the process of being sold. The store is currently in care and maintenance mode with average monthly costs of #2,400.
	Annual running costs before decommissioning of the refrigeration plant would have been in the order of #260,000. If product was being stored there would also be receipt, handling and discharge fees payable which would vary according to commodity being stored.

Recycling

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how the 2005–06 waste-recycling targets for local waste collection authorities set out in her Department's waste consultation document were arrived at.

Michael Meacher: Waste Strategy 200 sets out a commitment to recycle or compost at least 25 per cent. of household waste by 2005. Under the national Public Service Agreement we committed to targets of 17 per cent. household waste recycling/composting by 2003–04 and 25 per cent. by 2005–06.
	Taking a baseline of 1998–99 performances, targets for 2003–04 and 2005–06 were calculated for each waste collection and disposal authority in England. 2005–06 targets were calculated as follows:
	authorities with 1998–99 rates of under 6 per cent. should achieve at least 18 per cent. by 2005–06;
	those with 1998–99 rates of between 6 per cent. and 12 per cent. should at least treble their recycling/composting rate by 2005–06;
	the remainder should recycle or compost at least 40 per cent. of household waste by 2005–06.
	These standards were proposed in the consultation document XBest Value and Audit Commission Performance Indicators for 2001–02" and were implemented in the Best Value Order 2001. Performance standards for individual authorities are detailed in the XGuidance on Municipal Waste Management Strategies" published in March 2001.

Flood Relief

Jonathan Sayeed: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what type of waterborne craft were available to the Environment Agency for flood relief purposes in (a) 1998 and (b) 2000; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: The information requested is not held centrally by the Environment Agency and cannot be provided without incurring disproportionate costs. However, I understand the total number, by region, of waterborne craft currently operated by the Agency available for deployment in an emergency situation is as follows:
	
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 North East 70 
			 Midlands 54 
			 Southern 17 
			 Thames 119 
			 North West 22 
			 Anglian 18 
			 South West 49 
			 EA Wales 50 
			  
			 Total 399 
		
	
	Additional craft are made available for use in an emergency by bodies such as the RNLI and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which public service agreement targets that are scheduled to be met in 2002 will not be achieved by the due date.

Elliot Morley: Information about progress on PSA targets will be published in the Department's 2002 Departmental Report.

Registered Fishing Vessels

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many registered fishing vessels there were in the United Kingdom in each of the last five years.

Elliot Morley: The available information is set out below:
	
		The Registered UK Fishing Fleet: 1996 to 2009—United Kingdom (including Channel Islands and Isle of Man)
		
			  Number GT * Power (kW) 
		
		
			 1996 8,667 271,875 1,054,927 
			 1997 8,458 269,726 1,026,542 
			 1998 8,271 268,803 1,006,071 
			 1999 8,039 262,777 978,644 
			 2000 7,818 260,333 980,636 
		
	
	Source:
	RSS and UK Fisheries Department
	GT * represents a measure of fleet tonnage, based on International Tonnage Convention 1969, to which the Community fishing fleet is being progressively remeasured. The process should be completed by end 2003. The series gives figures on a consistent basis over the period shown.

Livestock

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans the Government have to remove the 20 day restriction on the movement of cattle.

Elliot Morley: The interim rules for livestock movements, which we announced on 5 February, allow greater flexibility for farmers to move their animals. The 20 day standstill rule has been waived for some types of movement, subject to conditions and we will continue to keep these arrangements under review. However, veterinary advice is that the 20 day standstill needs to remain in place for the time being as a disease control measure. A copy of a document explaining the Veterinary basis for the Interim movement rules has been placed in the Library of the House and is available on the DEFRA website.

Livestock

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to review the import regulations pertaining to livestock; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: holding answer 25 March 2002
	Movements of farmed livestock within the European Community are subject to harmonised animal health rules which are implemented into national legislation. These rules set down the animal health conditions that must be met before such animals can be certified for export and they provide for checks to be made on the animals at their premises of destination. The Commission's Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health keeps the rules under constant review and introduces safeguard measures as necessary to address animal health problems across the Community. Imports into Great Britain of animals susceptible to foot and mouth disease resumed in November 2001 and since then we have been carrying out 100 per cent. post import checks on all such consignments.
	Imports of livestock from non-EU countries are also covered by EU rules. Imports are prohibited from countries where there is a known animal health risk. Imports from approved countries must enter the Community via an approved border inspection post where the consignments are subjected to physical, identity and documentary checks.

Parrett Catchment Project

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what salary is paid to the Chairman of the Parrett catchment project; and what his total package is.

Elliot Morley: I understand that the Steering Group for the Parrett Catchment Project agreed that the Chairman should receive payment up to #3,000 per annum from project funds. The major contributors are Somerset County Council and the Environment Agency.

Hunting with Dogs

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make it her policy to consult Lord Burns over interpretation of his report on hunting with dogs before drafting legislation on the subject, with particular reference to the issues of cruelty and utility.

Alun Michael: I have emphasised the importance of the Burns Report and met Lord Burns to discuss his report after taking up my present responsibilities. I shall welcome comments from all those who have constructive comments to make following my statement on 21 March.

Farm Tenancies

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the availability of farm tenancies for young farmers; and what plans she has to facilitate more opportunities for new entrants to farming.

Elliot Morley: A policy evaluation review of the Agricultural Tenancies Act 1995 is currently being carried out by the University of Plymouth. This includes an assessment of the impact the Act has had on the availability of tenancies to new entrants. The Policy Commission on Food and Farming has also made a number of recommendations which are intended to make farming more attractive and accessible to new entrants.
	The University of Plymouth review is nearing completion and the final report is expected shortly. We will be considering the recommendations made by the research team in detail over the coming months and at the same time will consider the Policy Commission recommendations on tenancy and new entrant issues.

Incineration

John Pugh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs with reference to the Government's Waste Strategy 2000 documents, how many tonnes of incineration capacity he estimates will be needed by (a) 2005–06, (b) 2010 and (c) 2015; and on what assumptions these figures are based.

Michael Meacher: The Government's strategy, as set out in Waste Strategy 2000, is based on minimising the production of waste and maximising the levels of re-use, recycling and composting of the waste that is produced.
	The Regulatory Impact Assessment in Annex C of Part 2 of Waste Strategy 2000 (Cm 4693–2) outlines a wide variety of different waste management scenarios. Variables include different mixes of waste management facilities, different levels of participation in kerbside recycling schemes, and different projections for the increase in municipal waste arisings. There are therefore no single estimates for the level of incineration in these years.

UN Millennium Declaration

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps her Department (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to meet the commitments of the United Nations Millennium Declaration.

Clare Short: I have been asked to reply. 
	The Millennium Declaration endorsed the Millennium Development Goals, a set of 2015 targets for poverty reduction. We worked hard to get UN agreement to these goals and all of the work of my Department is aimed at reaching these Goals. The Millennium Declaration also called on industrialised countries to reduce trade barriers for least developed countries, debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries, and increased development assistance, particularly for countries with large numbers of people in poverty and effective pro-poor policies.
	My Department has also worked hard with others in the Government to achieve agreement at Doha to a trade round which creates significant opportunities for developing countries and poor people. The Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative has led to over $50 billion in debt relief being granted to qualifying countries. This Government has increased UK Official Development Assistance by a third in real terms since 1997. We are committed to making substantial further progress towards the UN 0.7 per cent. target in the next spending round. At the UN conference on Financing for Development in Mexico last week, the European Union announced a commitment to increase average Official Development Assistance as a proportion of gross national income to 0.39 per cent. by 2006, an increase of $7 billion.
	My Department will continue to focus its efforts on achieving the Goals set out in the Millennium Declaration. Details of how we have contributed during 2001–02 to achieving the Millennium Development Goals will be published next month in our Departmental Report.

Waste Minimisation and Recycling Fund

Michael Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how she intends to distribute the waste minimisation and recycling fund.

Michael Meacher: Following the recent consultation, we shall very shortly announce how we intend to distribute the Fund. Guidance will be sent to all local authorities and will be available on the DEFRA website. Copies of the guidance and results of the consultation will be placed in the Library of the House.

Scientific and Regulatory Agencies

Howard Stoate: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what plans she has to conduct a review of her Department's scientific and regulatory agencies.

Margaret Beckett: I am today announcing a Review of the three science laboratories; the Veterinary Laboratories Agency (VLA), the Central Science Laboratory (CSL) and the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research (CEFAS); and the two regulatory agencies, the Pesticides Safety Directorate (PSD) and the Veterinary Medicines Agency (VMD).
	The Review will be conducted by a team attached to DEFRA's Corporate and Service Delivery Directorate General, working in consultation with other Government Departments with an interest. The Review Team will be advised by a Steering Group of a majority of non-Departmental members.
	The terms of reference for the Review are:
	XTo evaluate the effectiveness of the operation of DEFRA agencies, with regard to the Departmental aim and objectives and their relationship with the Department and the sectors they serve."
	The Review is to be conducted in two parallel processes:
	for those Executive Agencies due for quinquennial review in 2002 (VLA, CSL, CEFAS): to conduct an evaluation of their performance since the date of the last review and to examine their relationship with core-DEFRA, other Government Departments (OGDs) and the Devolved Administrations (DAs);
	for the regulatory Executive Agencies (PSD and VMD): to take into account the conclusions of, and developments since the completion of their Quinquennial Reviews.
	In so doing, the Review will:
	analyse the requirements of Government, industry and society for core science facilities and key skills for the provision of R&D, scientific support services, surveillance, policy and regulatory functions, advice and emergency response capability;
	analyse and identify the work required to support the core requirements;
	examine the likely trend of DEFRA and other public funders' requirements, including developments in horizon scanning and contingency planning;
	consider the possible options and evaluate the best models for delivery of the services and the organisation of the functions required, including policy advice and associated work;
	assess the implications for DEFRA, OGDs, the DAs and the Agencies about the choice of those models;
	assess the implications for non-core activities; and
	assess the implications for commercial activity.
	The Review Team will consult customers, stakeholders, scientific opinion and other interests and will take into account relevant reviews and studies, in particular the SR2002 Science and Research cross-cutting review and DEFRA's prioritisation of science programmes exercise; the work on the development of science in DEFRA, including a new Science and Innovation Strategy; and the Cabinet Office Review of Agency Policy.
	In light of the findings of the consultation exercise, the Review will examine the most appropriate freedoms, controls, financial regimes, governance arrangements and performance management to ensure the optimum delivery of a high quality service, providing good value for money.
	The Review Team will report with recommendations to Ministers through the Management Board by the end of October 2002.
	Interested parties are invited to submit their views to the Review Team by 30 May 2002. Details of how to contact them are contained in DEFRA's news release, issued today.

Air Pollution Control

Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the 2002–03 charging schemes for local air pollution control under Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and Local Authority Integrated Pollution Prevention and Control under the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999.

Michael Meacher: Charges to cover the costs of local enforcing authorities in regulating processes which are subject to Part I of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 were introduced in April 1991. Interim charges for processes which are subject to the Pollution Prevention and Control Act 1999 were introduced in August 2000.
	With the approval of the Treasury, and following consultation with local authority associations and industry, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has made revised schemes for England in respect of Environmental Protection Act and England and Wales in respect of the Pollution Prevention and Control Act. The schemes specify the scale of fees and charges to take effect from 1 April 2002.
	The fees and charges in both schemes have been increased by 1.8 per cent., broadly in line with inflation. However, my Department is writing to local authorities to advise them that if there is not much more widespread adoption of cost accounting practices for LAPC over the next six months this increase may be rescinded at the next review of the charging schemes later this year.
	The schemes will be laid before both Houses and copies placed in the Libraries.

Policy Commission Report

Ian Cawsey: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Government will respond to the Policy Commission's report.

Margaret Beckett: The Prime Minister and the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs today held a seminar with leaders of the farming and food sectors and others with an interest in the environment and the rural economy and identified early actions to drive forward the Commission's report. A new strategy for sustainable farming and food, incorporating a definitive response to the Policy Commission's report will be published in the autumn. Actions to develop and deliver the strategy have been announced, including the publication today of Sustainable Food and Farming—Working Together: a document intended to focus discussion on key issues.
	Copies of the document are available from the Libraries of the House. Details of the announcement and the document are also available in electronic form from the DEFRA website, www.defra.gov.uk.

Dangerous Substance Rules

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for what reason the dangerous substance rules were not updated by June 2001; and when she plans to update them.

Alan Whitehead: I have been asked to reply.
	Implementation in Great Britain of Commission Directive 2000/21/EC was through amendments to two existing regulations [Notification of New Substances Regs. and Chemicals (Hazards and Information Packaging for Supply Regs.]. The total package of amendments was completed by the implementation date of 13 April 2001.
	A similar approach was taken in Northern Ireland where the package of amendments to regulations came into operation on 16 January 2002.

Rural Affairs

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the total cost is of the XYour countryside, You're welcome" (a) launch and (b) campaign.

Alun Michael: pursuant to his reply, 20 March 2002, c. 380
	In my reply to hon. Member on 20 March, I said that the cost of the PR activity to support XYour countryside, Your welcome" was #209,000. I have now received information about other public funds which supported the campaign.
	In addition to the #209,000 spent directly by DEFRA referred to in my previous answer, the Countryside Agency has paid #371,000 for regional advertising, and #10,000 towards the development of www.yourcountryside.info—the website for XYour countryside, You're welcome" campaign. The English Tourism Council also spent #8,500 on consumer research and #18,000 on a special publication of XHidden England". These figures do not include in-house staff costs, nor do they include any expenditure by the over 100 non-governmental organisations involved in the campaign. I am sorry that my original answer referred only to direct expenditure by DEFRA itself.

LORD CHANCELLOR

Census (1901)

David Lidington: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many transactions per second the Internet service provider responsible for the 1901 Census on-line service could provide at the time the service was suspended; and how many transactions per second it will be possible to provide once the programme of enhancements has been completed.

Rosie Winterton: QinetiQ Ltd, who are responsible for the delivery of the system and service, designed and supplied a system which was to support 18,912,000 static page impressions and 4,800,000 dynamic page impressions for a peak of 1.2 million users per day. This equates to an average of approximately 274 page impressions per second. When the system is again available it is intended that it will be able to provide at least these levels of performance and be considerably more robust. Testing of the updated design and configuration is still continuing to confirm this, before the service is resumed.

Correspondence

George Howarth: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what targets his Department and the agencies it sponsors have for responding to correspondence (a) from hon. Members and (b) from members of the public; and what his Department's performance against such targets has been for each of the last 36 months in both categories.

Rosie Winterton: Ministers at the Lord Chancellor's Department aim to respond to correspondence from hon. Members within 20 working days. Chief Executives of the Public Record Office and the Land Registry also aim to reply to hon. Members within 20 working days, whilst the Chief Executives of the Public Guardianship Office and the Court Service aim to do so within 15 working days. Statistics for correspondence with hon. Members for the Department and each agency for each of the last 36 months is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost, but statistics for each of the last three years are as follows:
	
		Percentage of correspondence from MPs answered within target -- Per cent.
		
			  1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 1 April 2001 to 31 December 2001 
		
		
			 LCD Headquarters 88 76 73 75 
			 Land Registry1 100 91 93 79 
			 Public Trust Office2 99 83 78 — 
			 Public Guardianship Office2 — — — 52 
			 Public Record Office 100 100 96 100 
			 Court Service HQ 99 93 94 94 
		
	
	1 Figures for the Land Registry are for the calendar years 1998, 1999 and 2000.
	2 The Public Guardianship Office was created on 1 April 2001 when the Public Trust Office ceased to exist.
	fbatistics for correspondence with members of the public for the Department and its agencies for each of the last 36 months is not readily available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost, but figures are available for each of the last three financial years, and I refer my hon. Friend to the answer given by the Parliamentary Secretary at the Cabinet Office (column 453W) on 19 July 2001 for figures relating to Lord Chancellor's Department Headquarters, Court Service Headquarters and the Land Registry. Figures for the Public Trust Office, and since 1 April 2001 its successor the Public Guardianship Office, and the Public Record Office are set out in the following table.nb
	
		Percentage of correspondence from members of the public answered within target -- Per cent.
		
			  Target 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001 to 31 December 2001 
		
		
			 Public Record Office 10 99 99 100 99 
			 Public Trust Office 1— 96 92 89 — 
			 Public Guardianship Office 
			  2— 
			  — 
			  — 
			  — 
			  (c) 91.9 
			 (d) 94.8 
		
	
	1 The standard for dealing with correspondence in the Public Trust Office was to respond to all letters within 10 working days, or to acknowledge letters within three working days and respond fully within 20 working days.
	2 The standard for dealing with correspondence in the Public Guardianship Office is to: (a) respond to 85 per cent. of letters, faxes and e-mails within 15 working days of receipt; and (b) to respond to 95 per cent. of letters, faxes and e-mails within 20 working days of receipt.

Judiciary (Solicitors)

David Cameron: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 
	(1)  how many acting members of the judiciary have been the subject of complaints for their work as solicitors in the last 12 months; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what powers he has to investigate the conduct of members of the judiciary when they are practising as solicitors.

Michael Wills: As Head of the Judiciary, the Lord Chancellor investigates complaints about the personal conduct of both full-time and part-time judicial office holders. He does not, however, investigate complaints against solicitors who are part-time Judges when the complaints relate to their work as solicitors, as this is a matter for the Office for the Supervision of Solicitors and ultimately for the Law Society. The Lord Chancellor has no disciplinary powers in relation to solicitors. If a solicitor who is a part-time judicial office holder is subject to such a complaint, he or she is required to inform the Lord Chancellor's Department of the outcome. The Department is aware of four such complaints in the past 12 months.

Data Protection Act

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department if his Department plans to amend the Data Protection Act 1998; and if he will make a statement.

Michael Wills: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply that I gave to a similar Question from him on 19 March.

Child Abuse Cases

Mike Hancock: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department 
	(1)  how many cases of child abuse by parents or guardians allowed unsupervised access by the Family Law Court there have been in each of the last five years; what guidelines are in place for judges to deal with such cases; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what plans there are to review the guidelines given to the Family Law Court in dealing with access cases for children deemed to be at risk of abuse; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Information about the number of children abused by parents or guardians during court ordered contact is not available. The Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence is considering how to improve the inter-face between the family and criminal jurisdictions to track and record such instances. However, many instances of abuse may go unreported. The XGuidelines on Good Practice in Parental Contact in cases where there has been Domestic Violence", produced by the Children Act Sub-Committee of the Lord Chancellor's Advisory Board on Family Law, apply throughout the Family Justice System. The Guidelines, endorsed by the Government in March 2001, are being monitored and are also subject to research on the outcome of court orders for families.
	An analysis of the first survey of the use and effectiveness of the Children Act Sub-Committee XGuidelines for Good Practice on Parental Contact in cases where there has been Domestic Violence" was, in answer to a question from the hon. Member for Enfield North, placed in the Libraries of both Houses on 13 March 2002. A further survey on the operation of the Guidelines will be carried out this May.

Child Killings

Mike Hancock: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many children have been killed after the Family Law Court granted unsupervised access to the parent or guardian in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: Information about the number of child deaths during contact visits, where an application for contact or residence is outstanding, or where a residence or contact order is in force, is not available. The Ministerial Group on Domestic Violence is considering how to improve the inter-face between the family and criminal jurisdictions to track and record such instances. I have given an undertaking to the Women's Aid Federation of England to investigate cases in which they allege a child has been harmed during court ordered contact.

CAFCASS

Simon Hughes: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many senior responsible owners there have been in charge of the CAFCASS Support Infrastructure Project since the preparation of the Project Initiation Document; who had this responsibility between July 2001 and January 2002; and if he will make a statement.

Rosie Winterton: The Support Infrastructure Project had three Senior Responsible Officers until the project was put on hold in July 2001.
	CAFCASS is currently reviewing its IT strategy to assess its immediate and longer term needs.

Land Registry

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what key performance targets have been set for Her Majesty's Land Registry executive agency for 2002–03.

Michael Wills: The following table sets out the key performance targets set by the Lord Chancellor for Her Majesty's Land Registry for 2002–03.
	
		Key Performance Indicators and Targets 2002–03
		
			 Indicator Target 2002–03 
		
		
			 Speed  
			 Percentage of office copies and official search applications to be processed within two working days 98 
			 Percentage of registrations to be processed within 20 working days 75 
			 Accuracy  
			 Percentage of registrations processed free of any error 98.5 
			 Overall Satisfaction  
			 Percentage of customers who, overall, are very satisfied/satisfied with the full range of services provided by the Land Registry Better than 94 
			 Financial  
			 Percentage return on average capital employed 6 
			 Efficiency1  
			 Cost per unit in cash terms2 (real terms3)  #29.53 (#23.10) 
			 Strategic  
			 Percentage electronic delivery capability of the Land Registry's key services 60 
			 Percentage take up of electronic services 50 
			 Critical Action Points  
			 Draft Rules under the Land Registration Act 2002 ready for consultation By July 2002 
			 Carry out a major public consultation on the possible system for e-conveyancing and prepare a final report for ministers By February 2003 
		
	
	1 This is a milestone towards the HM Treasury-agreed cost per unit target for 2004–05 of #28.78 in cash terms (#21.43 in real terms).
	2 Based on GDP deflator issued by HM Treasury on 20 December 2001 (base year 1992–93).
	3 The real term unit cost in the base year of 1992–93 was #30.65.
	Further details of HM Land Registry's targets are published in its Business Plan.

Public Record Office

Joan Humble: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department what key performance targets have been set for the Public Record Office executive agency for 2002–03.

Rosie Winterton: The following list sets out the key performance targets that have been set for the Public Record Office for 2002–03.
	Public Record Office
	Key Performance Indicators 2002–031
	Efficiency
	KPI 1—Unit Costs of Key Activities
	KPI 1A—Selecting and preserving the public records per metre: To ensure that the unit cost does not rise above #107.00.
	KPI 1B—Giving Access Onsite: To ensure that the unit cost per information transaction with customers onsite does not exceed #8.80.
	KPI 1C—Giving Access Online: To ensure that the unit cost per information transaction with customers online does not exceed #0.15.
	KPI 2—Backlog of records in departments reported as being over 30 years old and awaiting review: To reduce the backlog, assessed in January 2002 as 1987 metres, by 115 metres.
	Quality of service
	KPI 3—The achievement of Charter Standards as follows:
	A (i) to make newly opened records and their catalogues available to users in accordance with specified time targets. (ii) To answer 98.5 per cent. of written correspondence within 10 working days. (iii) To deliver records to users for consultation in the reading rooms in accordance with specified time targets. (iv) To supply 98.5 per cent. of copy orders in accordance with the specified targets and standards. (v) To answer 80 per cent. of telephone calls within 20 seconds. (vi) To keep 98.5 per cent. of appointments which visitors have made with us within 10 minutes.
	B To carry out four onsite satisfaction surveys and to achieve assessments of Xgood" or Xexcellent" from 90 per cent. of those expressing a view; to carry out two online satisfaction surveys and to achieve assessments of Xgood" or Xexcellent" from 80 per cent. of those expressing a view.
	Income generation
	KPI 4—To increase revenue generated by commercial activity to #850,000.
	Modernising Government
	KPI 5—Electronic Records Management:
	To support other government departments in achieving the government target for electronic records management by 2004 by:
	(i) monitoring progress in departments against milestones and reporting to the Lord Chancellor, the e-Government sub-group and departments every six months and to others as appropriate to the level of action required;
	(ii) targeting under-achieving departments and developing action plans to accelerate progress;
	(iii) delivering a programme of workshops to support the action plans.
	KPI 6—Electronic Service Delivery:
	To develop digital access to popular records so that 20,000 digital record images are delivered to customers.
	KPI 7—To raise an awareness of the PRO's holdings among under-represented groups in our user profile by means of a rigorous social inclusion programme, the chief components of which are:
	(i) To make available 90,000 images online as part of the XMoving Here" project.
	(ii) To conduct an evaluation exercise with users (remote, at Kew and at the FRC) of the usability of PROCAT, DORIS and PRO Online.
	(iii) To organise an event as part of Black History month and to produce one other targeted event.
	(iv) To organise an educational focus event as part of the London String of Pearls Golden Jubilee programme.
	1 More information on these and other key targets is published in the Corporate and Business Plans.

Law Commission

David Borrow: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when the Law Commission intends to publish its 36th annual report.

Michael Wills: The Law Commission has today published its thirty-sixth Annual Report, and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Personal Injury Awards

Chris McCafferty: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department when his Department will publish the impact analysis of the discount rate change for personal injury awards from 3 per cent. and 2.5 per cent.

Michael Wills: The Lord Chancellor has today placed in the Libraries of both Houses the analysis of the impact of the discount rate change.

Parliamentary Boundary Reviews

David Wright: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department how many parliamentary boundary reviews have been undertaken in Shropshire since 1972.

Alan Whitehead: I have been asked to reply.
	Three reviews have been undertaken by the Boundary Commission for England since 1972.
	The third periodic review of all constituencies in England commenced in February 1976 and was completed in February 1983.
	An interim review, commenced in December 1986 and completed April 1987 considered the boundaries of Ludlow County Constituency, Shrewsbury and Atcham County Constituency, and The Wrekin Borough Constituency.
	The fourth review of all constituencies in England commenced in February 1991 and was completed in April 1995.

DEFENCE

Army Base Repair Organisations

Helen Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the future of the Army Base Repair Organisation.

Adam Ingram: Following approval by this House and the enactment of the requisite Statutory Instrument, ABRO will become a Trading Fund from 1 April 2002.
	This marks a significant stage in the development of ABRO as a flexible organisation able to respond rapidly to the demands placed upon it and equipped to shape its own future in both the defence community and the commercial arenas.
	Operating as a Trading Fund gives the Chief Executive additional financial and management freedoms to manage ABRO along commercial lines.
	The current Chief Executive, Mr. Michael Hayle, will continue to fill that position after conversion.

Chemical Protection Programme

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will publish the information submitted to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons about the UK's chemical protection programme.

Adam Ingram: Under the terms of the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) we are required to provide information annually to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons on the UK's chemical protection programme. The programme is designed to protect against the use of chemical weapons and is permitted by the CWC, with which the UK is fully compliant. In accordance with the Government's commitment to openness, I am placing in the Library of the House a copy of the summary that has been provided to the Organisation outlining the UK's chemical protection programme for 2002.

Analytical Services Agency

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what performance targets have been set for the Defence Analytical Services Agency for 2002–03.

Adam Ingram: Key Targets have been set for the Chief Executive of the Defence Analytical Services Agency for Financial Year 2002–03. The targets build on the progress already made by the Agency since it formed in 1992 and are as follows:
	Delivery of customer service:
	Key Target 1. To meet at least 95 per cent. of the timeliness and quality targets in customer Service Level and Project Agreements, and for National Statistics releases.
	Key Target 2. To have at least 90 per cent. of customers saying, in the annual Customer Satisfaction Survey, that they are satisfied with the overall service they receive from DASA.
	Quality
	Key Target 3. To implement the presentational developments identified in the 2001–02 review of United Kingdom Defence Statistics, and to develop a longer-term strategy for the publication of United Kingdom defence statistics.
	Key Target 4. To comply with the National Statistics Protocol on Release Practices by 31 March 2003.
	Key Target 5. To conduct a National Statistics quality review of DASA's financial and economic statistics, and recommend improvements in their quality and scope.
	People
	Key Target 6. To be accredited as achieving the DTI-sponsored Work-Life Balance Standard.
	Efficiency
	Key Target 7. To make efficiency gains of 3 per cent.

Environmental Sustainability

Dave Watts: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to publish his Department's approach to environmental sustainability.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence is constantly striving to meet and maintain the highest standards, both for the environment and the wider challenges of sustainable development. To this end we are launching an XAppraisal Handbook for Sustainability and the Environment" on 26 March 2002. Copies will be placed in the Library of the House.
	The handbook is an easy-to-follow guide on how to conduct an effective environmental and sustainability screening exercise in applying the Government's policy of sustainable development. It will help MOD planners identify the potential environmental, social and economic impact of proposed programmes, plans or projects.

Investment Approvals Board

Debra Shipley: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what is the role of his Department's Investment Approvals Board.

Geoff Hoon: The Investment Approvals Board (IAB) will have a broadly similar role to that of the Equipment Approvals Committee (EAC), which it will replace on 2 April. Its membership will consist of the Chief Scientific Advisor (Chair), the Vice Chief of Defence Staff, the Second Permanent Under Secretary of State, the Chief of Defence Procurement and the Chief of Defence Logistics. The IAB, like the EAC, will advise Ministers on major equipment and other investment projects. It will also have responsibility for the scrutiny and approvals processes for investment decisions on all non-equipment investment projects as well as equipment projects, including those considered by delegated approving authorities. It will be a major part of the IAB's task to ensure that proposals for Defence investment are soundly based and deliverable through robust project management and Smart Acquisition processes. There are no changes to the existing arrangements under which Ministers take and announce decisions on major projects.

Missile Defence Systems

Bernard Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what financial provision has been made in (a) each of the last five years and (b) future years for investigating the possibility of deploying missile defence systems.

Geoff Hoon: It remains the case that we believe it is as yet premature to decide on acquiring ballistic missile defences to deploy either for defence of the UK or of deployed forces. But we have carried out a range of studies focused on assessing the threat and the feasibility of the technology available to counter it, and continue to do so. A Pre-Feasibility Study was completed in June 1996, and an extension to it was carried out during 1997 and 1998 at a cost of #300K. The Technology Readiness and Risk Assessment Programme (TRRAP) was carried out between 1998 and 2001 at a total cost of #12.5 million. A further programme of work beyond TRRAP to look further at the main technical risk areas it identified, and at the feasibility of defending against more complex and longer range threats, is underway. Studies are also assessing the significance of any capability gap in defence against theatre ballistic missiles, including the role that active theatre missile defence systems might play. The total cost of the current work in this financial year is #3.6 million. This work is due to continue until March 2003 with a similar level of financial provision.

Energy Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on energy costs incurred by his Department in each of the last 10 years.

Lewis Moonie: The Ministry of Defence units report their energy consumption, not the cost of their energy usage. Therefore, the information requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.

Non-proliferation Treaty

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made towards implementing the 13 point programme agreed upon at the Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in 2000; and if he will make a statement.

Geoff Hoon: The United Kingdom regards the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty as the cornerstone of the non-proliferation regime. We remain firmly committed to the Treaty and also to the Final Document agreed at the Non Proliferation Treaty Review Conference in 2000. We are recognised as the most forward-leaning of the Nuclear Weapon States.
	This Government has taken a large number of actions to promote nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Since 1997, we have reduced our operationally available stockpile to fewer than 200 warheads. We have reduced the readiness of our nuclear forces with only a single Trident submarine on deterrent patrol, carrying 48 warheads against a previously planned ceiling of 96 warheads per submarine. We have signed and ratified the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty and continue to promote its entry into force, and we are still pressing for negotiations to begin at the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva of a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty.
	In addition to the measures set out above, we have signed and ratified the relevant protocols to both the Treaty of Raratonga (South Pacific Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone) and the treaty of Pelindaba (African Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone). We have placed fissile material no longer required for defence purposes under international safeguards, have been more transparent about nuclear and fissile material stockpiles and begun a national accounting for fissile material produced. We have also begun a programme to develop UK expertise in verifying the reduction and elimination of nuclear weapons internationally.

Human Rights Act

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many cases have been brought against his Department under the Human Rights Act 1998; and what has been the cost in (a) legal fees to defend cases and (b) compensation payments.

Adam Ingram: We do not collect central records of all cases in which the Human Rights Act 1998 is relied on. Human rights are now integrated in the general law and are rarely the sole basis for a challenge. We do monitor centrally those cases we consider may be of particular significance to this Department. We have recorded five cases to date.
	We do not collect separate information centrally about the cost to public funds, legal fees or compensation payments in case which include a human rights issue. In most cases it will be difficult to single out associated costs relating to the human rights element.

PFI/PPPs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list 
	(1)  the (a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership projects which have been delayed;
	(2)  what the difference was between the price offered in reaching preferred bidder stage and the final contract price for PPP contracts let by his Department in each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 25 March 2002
	I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

PFI/PPPs

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what companies are involved in PFI housing projects; how much funding these companies have given so far to his Department's housing projects; who manages PFI housing; how much funding has been given by his Department; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The Defence Housing Executive (DHE) has contracted with six companies to provide new housing, under public private partnership arrangements. They are:
	Covesea
	Western Challenge Housing Association
	Riverside Housing Association
	Bannockburn Homes
	Roselead Ltd
	TRICOMM Housing Ltd.
	Expenditure by the companies concerned is a matter for them. The Ministry of Defence pays them a unitary charge when the housing service contracted for is available. In total payments of #23 million have been made to the end of February 2002. The contractor is responsible for house design, construction, maintenance and life cycle upgrading. DHE is responsible for allocation and occupation management.

Apache

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment has been made of the need for air manoeuvre training for the WAH-64 Longbow Apache programme; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The requirement for Attack Helicopter units to train within an air manoeuvre environment was identified at an early stage in the Apache programme and a contract to purchase a Collective Training System was placed in late 2000.

Apache

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps are being taken to deal with the capability gaps in the air manoeuvre of the WAH-64 Longbow Apache programme; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The WAH-64 Longbow Apache programme is a fundamental element of the evolving air manoeuvre capability. It represents a quantum leap in capability, in range of equipment and complexity of the weapon systems. To ensure that Apache contributes fully to air manoeuvre, the capability of this formidable weapon is kept under continuous review. Changes to the programme are recommended should any capability gaps be identified.

Computer Hackers

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what steps are being taken to prevent computer hackers gaining access to the Defence System through the shared working environment used with Future Offensive Air System staff; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment has been made of the shortcomings of using the shared working environment for Future Offensive Air System staff; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The Future Offensive Air System Shared Working Environment enables the Ministry of Defence and industry to work more effectively together in line with the principles of Smart Acquisition. The system incorporates proven security technology that has been extensively tested, and has the necessary security accreditation for the data held. This accreditation included an assessment of the risks from computer hackers. Although the system connects MOD and industry users, security mechanisms prevent unauthorised access from the Shared Working Environment to other defence information systems.

MoD Housing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much money has been spent on (a) building new MoD housing, (b) demolishing MoD housing, (c)  rebuilding MoD housing and (d) PFI housing projects year by year since 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The following tables give details of the amount spent by the Defence Housing Executive by project type and year:
	
		Building new Ministry of Defence housing (adding to the existing stock)
		
			 Financial year # million 
		
		
			 1996–97 Nil 
			 1997–98 8.285 
			 1998–99 6.398 
			 1999–2000 4.123 
			 2000–01 0.239 
			 2001–02 0.540 
		
	
	
		Demolishing MoD housing (clearing sites and reducing stock)
		
			 Financial year # million 
		
		
			 1996–97 Nil 
			 1997–98 1.509 
			 1998–99 Nil 
			 1999–2000 Nil 
			 2000–01 0.017 
			 2001–02 0.081 
		
	
	
		Rebuilding MoD housing (demolition/rebuild)
		
			 Financial year # million 
		
		
			 1996–97 2.244 
			 1997–98 1.271 
			 1998–99 1.369 
			 1999–2000 11.960 
			 2000–01 19.146 
			 2001–02 24.166 
		
	
	Insufficient information is available to separate demolition costs from upgrade costs on demolition/rebuild projects.
	
		Public private partnership housing projects
		
			 Financial year # million 
		
		
			 1996–97 Nil 
			 1997–98 Nil 
			 1998–99 Nil 
			 1999–2000 2.7 
			 2000–01 9.7 
			 2001–02 10.6 
			 (to end Feb. 2002)

MoD Housing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many service personnel and their families were housed in private sector accommodation in each year between 1992 and 1997; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: The information is not available. Prior to 1997 Service personnel who were required to live in private sector accommodation made their own arrangements and were paid an Excess Rent Allowance (ERA). No records are held of the numbers of Service personnel who were in receipt of ERA.

Shoeburyness

Ivan Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many of the complaints relating to alleged damage as a result of the activities at the Shoeburyness ranges have been substantiated.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Shoeburyness

Ivan Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what has been the total cost of the payments made in each of the five years to householders in the Tendring Peninsula relating to alleged damage to their properties as a result of the activities at the Shoeburyness ranges.

Lewis Moonie: The total cost of payments made to householders in the Tendering peninsula area in each of the last five years is listed in the following table. The figure for 2001 includes payments up to September 2001, the latest period for which information is currently available. When I have information for the remainder of 2001 I will write to my hon. Friend.
	
		
			 Year Amount # 
		
		
			 2001 (to September) 1,870.00 
			 2000 2,930.08 
			 1999 2,881.32 
			 1998 12,290.73 
			 1997 3,338.00

Munitions Exports

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of whether the export of munitions from the USA to the United Kingdom will be subject to the 2001 Security Assistance Act going through the US Congress.

Lewis Moonie: The contents of United States legislation are of course a matter for the United States Government. However, I understand that the primary purpose of the draft legislation is not the control of exports; in that respect it does not, in its current form, change the contents or the scope of the US Munitions List, though it does refer to it. It includes some policy recommendations relating to the administration of the United States' export control process but is more concerned with the funding of the United State security assistance programmes with various countries, including non-proliferation work.

FYR Macedonia

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military aid is being given by the UK Government to the FYR Macedonia; and what plans his Department has to give military aid to the FYR Macedonia in the next six months.

Adam Ingram: A small number of British military strategic planners are providing advice to the Macedonian Ministry of Defence. These planners are led by a United Kingdom Defence Adviser to the Macedonian government, whose role is to advise on Macedonia's NATO Membership Action Plan and on improvements in the Macedonian government's ability to carry out defence planning. The UK provides similar Defence Advisors to the Ministry of Defences of other NATO aspirant nations.
	We have a well-established outreach programme of bilateral defence assistance with Macedonia, designed to help establish democratically accountable, cost-effective armed forces that are capable of contributing to national, regional and international security. The programme includes English language training in the UK and at the Military Academy in Skopje; multi-national seminars and courses; arms control training; and assistance with personnel and budgeting matters.
	Recently a British Military Advisory and Training Team provided advice on how to conduct low-level counter-insurgency training for the Macedonian Rapid Reaction Brigade, so as to meet Western standards for such training. We expect this programme to continue over the next months and will investigate what military assistance we can best provide for the Macedonian for the longer term.
	During 2001 the UK donated a range of non-lethal military equipment to the Macedonian Government. The equipment gifted was body armour, mine detectors, global positioning system devices, a remote control bomb disposal vehicle, and parachute flares.

RAF Lyneham

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when contracts will be issued for the construction of (a) the new gym and (b) the community centre on the NAAFI site at RAF Lyneham.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 25 March 2002
	The construction of the Physical Training and Recreation Centre and the Community Centre has been postponed pending the outcome of the Strategic Review. The study will report in the summer and I will be in a position to answer this more fully at that time.

RAF Lyneham

James Gray: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what infrastructure improvements are (a) in hand and (b) pending at RAF Lyneham.

Lewis Moonie: holding answer 25 March 2002
	All of the planned infrastructure improvements at RAF Lyneham have been completed for this Financial Year, and only emergency maintenance is currently being undertaken. The number of emergency improvements changes on a daily basis but on 20 March 2002, we estimate that there were some 60 such works being undertaken at the Station. The number of infrastructure improvements runs into many thousands over the year sine they are often very small-scale tasks. If there are specific improvements in which the hon. Member is interested, I will provide details of those.

Harrier Aircraft

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much the upgrade of the RAF's GR7s and Royal Navy's FA2 Sea Harriers to type GR9 Harriers will cost; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: I refer to the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 13 March 2002, Official Report, columns 1166–1167W.
	The Royal Navy's Sea Harrier fleet will be withdrawn from service by 2006 and are not part of the Harrier GR9 upgrade programme.

Sexism

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the measures introduced to combat sexism in the armed forces; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The Armed Forces strive to provide an environment in which every individual is respected and valued and given the opportunity to realise their potential without fear of harassment or unlawful discrimination. All three Services have in place complaints procedures, issue guidance on behaviour, undertake training, and appoint Equal Opportunities advisers in every unit. They monitor results through attitude surveys, focus groups, and longer-term studies. Although the number of complaints of sexual harassment and discrimination are small the Services see no room for complacency and aim to confront unacceptable behaviour at every opportunity.

Helicopter Crash (South Armagh)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on (a) the casualties injured in the RAF Puma helicopter crash in South Armagh on 17 March and (b) the probable causes of the crash.

Adam Ingram: Out of the three RAF crew and six passengers on board, seven were taken to hospital for treatment following the crash, four of whom were detained. As of Monday 25 March one of the casualties remains listed as seriously ill. Our thoughts are with all of the inured.
	A Royal Air Force Board of Inquiry has been convened to determine the cause of the accident. However, in the interim, I can confirm that it was not terrorist related.

MoD Police

Paul Keetch: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the sites from which MoD police have been withdrawn from security duties since 1997, stating in each case the (a) reason for withdrawal, (b) company who have replaced MoD police duties, (c) terms of the contract for such companies, including cost to the MoD per year, (d) expected savings to his Department and (e) the contingency for armed cover; and if he will make a statement.

Lewis Moonie: I will write to the hon. Member and a copy of my letter will be placed in the Library of the House.

Chinook Crash

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what legal advice he has recently requested in relation to his Department's review of the handling of the investigation into the crash of the ZD 576 Chinook helicopter in June 1994; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The House of Lords Select Committee expressed the opinion that the applicable standard of proof of absolutely no doubt whatsoever was not met by the Board of Inquiry finding. In the light of these comments, I have asked for further opinion in order to satisfy myself as to whether or not the legal approach adopted at the time was fully justified.

Deployments

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many members of the armed forces are deployed in Northern Ireland, broken down by service; and what the equivalent figures were a year ago.

Adam Ingram: The number of Armed Force personnel, broken down by service, under the command of the General Officer Commanding Northern Ireland (GOC NI) and stationed in Northern Ireland at the 28 February 2001 and 2002 is set out in the following table.
	
		
			 As at 28 February Army RAF Navy 
		
		
			 2001 12,271 1,084 176 
			 2002 12,477 1,046 176 
		
	
	The level of Armed Force personnel in Northern Ireland fluctuates throughout the year depending on the security situation. The GOC NI also has under his command troops that are rear based in Great Britain that can be called forward to the Province as and when required. In addition other troops can be made available to the GOC NI from Land Command if required for example during the marching season.

Deployments

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the strength of the armed forces deployed in (a) the Balkans, (b) Macedonia, (c) Kosovo and (d) Bosnia (i) is and (ii) was a year ago.

Adam Ingram: Some 4,900 UK Armed Forces personnel are currently deployed to the Balkans region. Of these 3,000 are deployed for KFOR operations, and 1,900 are deployed for SFOR operations. These numbers are approximate only. Around a dozen Armed Forces personnel are deployed to Macedonia.
	One year ago, some 4,800 UK Armed Forces personnel were deployed to the Balkans region. Of these 3,100 were deployed for KFOR operations and 1,700 were deployed for SFOR operations. These numbers are approximate only. In addition, a Defence Attache, a Defence Adviser and two staff assistants were deployed to Macedonia.

TREASURY

Reserve Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide a breakdown for each financial year since April 1992 of (a) the proportion and (b) the amount in real terms spent from the reserves.

Andrew Smith: The level of the Reserve within the overall control limit on departmental spending (Departmental Expenditure Limits since 1998–99, Control Totals previous to that) is set out at the beginning of each financial year in the Financial Statement and Budget Report. Outturn against departments' individual control limits, including any additions made from the Reserve, is given each summer in the Public Expenditure Outturn White Paper.

Tax Credits (Fraud)

James Clappison: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the answer of 31 January 2002, Official Report, column 515W, how many of the 28 persons prosecuted for working families tax credit fraud were women; and how many of the eight persons receiving a custodial sentence were women.

Dawn Primarolo: Twenty two of the 28 people prosecuted for WFTC fraud are women. Seven people have received a custodial sentence, of whom five are women. Proportionally, these figures for women are lower in both cases than the proportion of tax credit claimants who are women.

PPP Consultants

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total external spending by his Department was on public-private partnership consultants in each of the last four years; how many full-time equivalent consultants were employed over this period; how many billed consultancy days there were per year; what the implied average cost of each PPP consultant was; how many consultancy firms were used by the Department over this period; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 4 February 2002, Official Report, column 702W.

G-CAT/C-CAT

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the public bodies which have used (a) G-CAT and (b) C-CAT in the last two years; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: In the period of the last two years usage of the G-CAT and S-CAT has been as follows:
	333 public sector organisations used the original G-Cat contract, which expired on 30 September 2001;
	1,921 public sector organisations have used the new G-Cat contracts, which became live on 1 October 2001;
	108 public sector organisations have used the S-CAT contracts.
	A list of the organisations using each scheme is being placed in the Library of the House.

Inland Revenue

Bob Russell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which Minister has responsibility for dealing with complaints about the observation of the rules laid down by the Civil Service Code and Civil Service Management Code by the staff of the Board of the Inland Revenue.

Dawn Primarolo: I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answer I gave him on 12 March, Official Report, column 964W.

Valuation Office Agency

Barbara Follett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what targets for the Valuation Office Agency will be set for the year 2002–03.

Dawn Primarolo: I have set the following key performance indicators for the Valuation Office Agency:
	Valuation Accuracy
	Contain reductions in 2,000 local Rating Lists to less than 7.5 per cent. in respect of compiled list appeals settled in 2002–03, and to a maximum of 4.7 per cent. of the total compiled list rateable value over the entire life of the 2000 Rating Lists.
	Programming
	Make draft programmes available by the 30 July each year, publish final programmes by 1 October each year; and to adhere to the start date in 95 per cent. of cases.
	Other major tasks
	As a step on the path to more public acceptance of valuations in Revaluation 2005, implement by April 2003 the recommendations coming out of the evaluation of the local ratepayer panels pilots.
	Customer satisfaction
	Improve customer satisfaction, as indicated by annual customer surveys, year on year. In 2002–03, the target will be 85 per cent. satisfaction.
	Value for money
	Improve value for money by achieving annual productivity gains of at least 2.5 per cent. per year.
	Land Services
	Bring in fee income to cover its share of VOA costs and to increase income by 10 per cent. year on year. For 2002–03 the income target will be #14.8 million.
	People satisfaction
	Improve annual satisfaction ratings given by staff for working with VOA. In 2002–03 we will undertake a survey which will act as the baseline against which future performance will be assessed.
	Financial Xbreak even"
	Recover full resource costs, including a return on capital of 6 per cent., from fees and charges.
	Further details are contained in the Valuation Office Agency's Forward Plan, copies of which will be placed in the Library of the House on publication.

National Savings and Investments

Tim Boswell: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action is being taken to reduce delays in repayments by National Savings and Investments.

Ruth Kelly: National Savings and Investments have experienced a higher volume of work across the board, which has caused Savings Certificates repayments to be slightly outside the timescale they aim to achieve. No other products are affected. They are taking this very seriously and have allocated additional staff to processing these payments to bring the back within normal timescales.

Seafarers (Income Tax)

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the case for extending seafarer income tax concessions.

Dawn Primarolo: The Government keeps all taxes under review and any changes will be made as part of the normal Budget process.

Share Incentive Schemes

Michael Jack: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much was spent in (a) January, (b) February and (c) March on (i) national newspaper, (ii) regional newspaper and (iii) local newspaper advertisements to promote the use of share incentive schemes.

Dawn Primarolo: The press advertising campaign for the Share Incentive Plan (SIP) started on 2 March 2002 and is due to run until 4 April 2002. Hence no money was spent on press advertising in January and February.
	The breakdown for the March/April expenditure is as follows:
	
		
			  Cost # VAT # Total # 
		
		
			 National Press 783,668.33 137,141.98 920,810.31 
			 Regional Press 10,765.15 1,883.90 12,649.05 
			 Specialist Press 29,494.27 5,161.50 34,655.77 
			 National Press Production 18,667.45 952.25 21,933.94 
			 Specialist Press Production 5,441.45 3,266.76 6,393.71

EU Budget

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer which countries will be (a) gross and (b) net contributors to the European Union budget in 2002; how much they will each contribute in net terms; what the gross amount contributed to the European Union budget by each member state will be; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: The Government's latest estimate of the United Kingdom's net contribution to the European Union budget in the financial year 2002–03 can be found in footnote two, table B13 (page 182) of the Pre-Budget Report (Cm5318). The Government does not forecast the contribution to the EU budget of other Member States. However, estimates of gross contributions by all Member States to the 2002 EU budget can be found at Table 7 (page 134) of the Official Journal (L29) of the European Communities (ISSN 0378-6978).

Heavily Indebted Poor Countries

Julia Drown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what percentage of the pledged UK contribution to the HIPC Trust Fund has been paid.

Clare Short: I have been asked to reply. 
	The UK's pledge to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Debt Initiative Trust Fund is US$221 million; in addition, our share of the EC contribution is a further US$85 million. So far, we have paid half of our contribution (US$110 million) into the Trust Fund to help the Regional Development Banks meet their share of HIPC costs. The UK contribution is paid on an as-needed basis, on request by the International Development Association (IDA), which is administering the Fund. As more countries complete the HIPC process in the coming year, we would expect to see further disbursement of our funds.

Customs (Newhaven)

Norman Baker: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  on how many occasions since 1 January 2001 brigading teams have been sent to Newhaven; how many person-shifts were undertaken there by officers based elsewhere; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what percentage of ships arriving in Newhaven since 1 January 2001 have been subject to customs checks; and of those occasions, what percentage resulted in the discovery of (a) illicit tobacco, (b) illicit alcohol, (c) class A drugs, (d) wildlife products contrary to the terms of CITES and (e) illicit meat; and what has been the value of produce seized in each category;
	(3)  what plans there are to alter shift patterns amongst customs officers at Newhaven; and what the financial consequences of these changes will be;
	(4)  how many operational customs officers, excluding those undertaking purely office-based functions, are based at Newhaven.

Paul Boateng: holding answers 25 March 2002
	It is not Customs law enforcement policy to disclose information on operational deployments of staff or the level or nature of checks at specific locations. However, the deployment, activities and working patterns of Customs staff at Newhaven and other locations are kept under constant review to ensure the most effective and efficient targeting of resources. Since January 2001, Customs officers operating at Newhaven have seized smuggled tobacco products with a total revenue value of around #215,500. Full details of Customs' seizures are published on a routine basis in their Departmental annual reports.

Aggregates Levy

David Lidington: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if the European Commission has given state aids approval for the proposed phasing in of the Aggregates Levy in Northern Ireland.

Paul Boateng: We are confident of getting state aid approval from the European Commission shortly for the phasing-in of the levy for aggregates used in processed products in Northern Ireland. The relief will be backdated to 1 April to ensure that no levy is paid on aggregate used to make these products in 2002–03.

Private Finance Initiative

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the difference was between the price offered in reaching preferred bidder stage and the final contract price for the five largest PFI contracts let by his Department in each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 25 March 2002
	The difference between the price offered in reaching preferred bidder stage, and the final contract price for PFI contracts let in the last four years is #11 million per annum. The difference is primarily attributable to the Department's changing requirements between preferred bidder announcement and final contract award.

Money Laundering

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will assess the benefits of restricting the use of cash for payment for goods and services in excess of a determined figure as a means of tackling money laundering; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 25 March 2002
	HMT will shortly consult on proposals for revision of the 1993 Money Laundering Regulations, implementing the Second EC Money Laundering Directive and taking into account changes made in the Proceeds of Crime Bill. In this context we will be considering all options to tackle money laundering, in consultation with law enforcement agencies, industry stakeholders and consumers.

Public-Private Partnerships

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the difference was between the price offered in reaching preferred bidder stage and the final contract price for PPP contracts let by his Department in each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: holding answer 25 March 2002
	The Department has not let any PPP contracts over the last four years.

Road Pricing (Lorries)

Chris Grayling: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he expects to make a statement on road pricing for lorries.

Paul Boateng: The Government published a consultation document XModernising the Taxation of Haulage" alongside Pre-Budget Report 2001. The consultation closed on 8 February. The Government is now considering all responses. Any changes to taxation policy would be a matter for the Budget.

Comprehensive Spending Review

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he (a) has taken and (b) plans to take to ensure that sustainable development concerns are integrated into the comprehensive spending review process; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: As part of their submission to the Spending Review, departments with a Public Service Agreement have been requested to produce a Sustainable Development Report identifying the sustainable development impacts of their policy priorities. Specific guidance on this aspect of the Spending Review has been circulated to departments and made publicly available. Departmental Sustainable Development Reports are one element of the Spending Review submissions that Ministers will consider and will contribute towards the wider evidence-base of the Spending Review.

Manufacturing Work Force

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list for each constituency in England the percentage of the work force engaged in manufacturing in (a) 1990, (b) 1997 and (c) at the most recent date for which figures are available.

Ruth Kelly: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Gordon Prentice, dated 25 March 2002
	Len Cook: As National Statistician I have been asked to reply to your recent question about the percentage of the workforce engaged in manufacturing from 1990.
	The available figures are for employee jobs and cover the years 1991, 1997 and 2000. I am placing an extraction from the Nomis database in the House of Commons Library. The Nomis database is available to Members and is accessible by Library staff.

Electoral Registers

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Glasgow, Cathcart (Mr. Harris) of 31 January 2002, Official Report, column 450W, on electoral registers, what guidance he has given to financial institutions needing to obtain electoral registers to carry out their obligations under the Money Laundering Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

Ruth Kelly: Guidance notes advising financial institutions how to fulfil their obligations under money laundering legislation are produced by industry associations such as the Joint Money Laundering Steering Group, rather than by the Government. HM Treasury is working closely with DTLR, which has lead responsibility for electoral matters, to ensure that institutions are able to meet their legal requirements under any new regulations on sale of the electoral register.

Parliamentary Questions

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when he will reply to the hon. member for Truro and St. Austell's question of 15 January concerning sustainable development and the 2002 spending review; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Smith: I have done so today and I have also written to the hon. Gentleman concerning his earlier question.

SCOTLAND

Correspondence

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the average response time was for responding to departmental correspondence; what percentage of letters took longer than one month for a response; and what percentage took longer than three months for a response in each of the last five years.

Helen Liddell: The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999.
	The information is collected in such a format where calculating the average response time could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. However, information relating to our own 15 working day response target is as follows:
	in 1999, out of 409 cases, 81.42 per cent. were replied to within the 15 day target;
	in 2000, out of 616 cases, 75.49 per cent. were replied to within the 15 day target;
	in 2001, out of 408 cases, 74.26 per cent. were replied to within the 15 day target.
	in 1999, 0.73 per cent. of cases took longer than one month for a response; in 2000, no cases took longer than one month for a response; and in 2001 4.41 per cent. took longer than one month for a response.
	in no cases has the department taken longer than three months to respond.

Capita

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how many contracts the Department has with Capita; and how much they are worth.

Helen Liddell: My Department has no contracts with Capita Group.

Capita

Boris Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will list the contracts that have been awarded to the Capita Group by the Department.

Helen Liddell: The Scotland Office was established in its present form on 1 July 1999.
	Since that date, no contracts have been awarded to the Capita Group by my Department.

Ministerial Meetings

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  when she plans to meet Railtrack; and how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(2)  when she plans to meet the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(3)  when she plans to meet Comunn Nu Gaidhlig; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(4)  when she plans to meet the management of BBC Scotland; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(5)  when she plans to meet the Scottish CBI; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(6)  when she plans to meet the National Air Traffic Services; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(7)  when she plans to meet the Scottish Environment Protection Agency; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(8)  when she plans to meet Highlands and Islands Enterprise; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(9)  when she plans to meet The Wise Group; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(10)  when she plans to meet Scottish National Heritage; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(11)  when she plans to meet the British Council in Scotland; and how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(12)  when she plans to meet Scottish Business in the Community; and how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(13)  when she plans to meet the Law Society of Scotland; and how many times she has met them since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(14)  when she plans to meet the Gaelic Broadcasting Committee; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(15)  when she plans to meet Scotrail; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(16)  when she plans to meet the Scottish Police Federation; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(17)  when she plans to meet Forest Enterprise; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(18)  when she plans to meet Scottish Enterprise; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(19)  when she plans to meet the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organisation; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(20)  when she plans to meet British Energy plc; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(21)  when she plans to meet The Planning Exchange; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(22)  when she plans to meet the Institute of Directors in Scotland; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(23)  when she plans to meet COSLA; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(24)  when she plans to meet British Telecom in Scotland; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(25)  when she plans to meet Scottish Engineering; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland;
	(26)  when she plans to meet the Scottish Chambers of Commerce; and how many times she has met it since becoming Secretary of State for Scotland.

Helen Liddell: I refer the hon. Member to my answer of 25 March.

Winter Fuel Allowance

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps she is taking to maximise the take-up of the winter-fuel allowance in Scotland.

George Foulkes: Most people who are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment do not have to claim. For those people who do need to claim, or who have other queries about the Payments, the Department for Work and Pensions have set up a Winter Fuel Payment help-line; the number is 08459 15 15 15. The DWP have also placed advertisements in the press, issued leaflets and posters and placed information on the internet.

Euro 2008

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what support has been offered by her Department to the Scottish Executive in respect of its bid to host the Euro 2008 football championships.

George Foulkes: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State and I have regular contact with the Scottish Executive on a wide range of issues. The Scotland Office supports the decision to pursue a joint bid with the Republic of Ireland. Hosting Euro 2008 would be a tremendous boost for Scotland and the UK, and the Scotland Office will provide appropriate assistance and support.

Election Expenses

Ian Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if she will publish the returns of election expenses for the 1999 elections to the Scottish Parliament.

Helen Liddell: I have no plans to publish these returns. As required under the Scottish Parliament (Elections etc) Order 1999, the returns of election expenses for the elections to the Scottish Parliament in 1999 were made available for inspection for two years following their receipt. Notices giving details of the times and places at which returns could be inspected were also published as required.

Consultants

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland how much her Department has spent on external consultants in each of the past five years.

Helen Liddell: I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Buckingham on 7 March, Official Report, column 511W.

Asbestos-related Diseases

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations she has received from the Iron Trades Management Services concerning the non-payment of insurance claims to victims of asbestos-related diseases; and what the planned time scale is for future progress on resolving the issue.

Helen Liddell: I made a full statement of the action I have taken to date on all aspects of this matter at the Westminster Hall adjournment debate on 19 March, initiated by my hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Anniesland.

Policing

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland 
	(1)  what discussions she has had with the Scottish Police Federation concerning the pay and conditions proposed to police officers by the Home Secretary;
	(2)  what discussions she has had with the Scottish Executive concerning the pay and conditions proposed to police officers by the Home Secretary.

Helen Liddell: Police pay and conditions in Scotland are a matter for the Scottish Executive. I have had no discussions with either the Executive or the Scottish Police Federation.

Rail Links

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent representations she has made to the (a) Strategic Rail Authority and (b) Scottish Executive on developing rail links at (i) Glasgow and (ii) Edinburgh International Airports.

Helen Liddell: I have regular discussions with Scottish Executive Ministers on a wide range of issues.
	In their recent strategic plan, the SRA highlighted as a medium term priority an investigation of the development of rail links to both Glasgow and Edinburgh Airports.
	The Scottish Executive with others, including the Strategic Rail Authority and DTLR, have commissioned an economic and engineering study into rail links to Glasgow and Edinburgh airports. The final phase of the report is expected to be completed in the Autumn.

Scottish Airports

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recent discussions she has had with the Scottish Executive concerning the number of flights from Scottish airports to those in the UK, Europe and North America.

Helen Liddell: I have regular discussions with Scottish Executive Ministers on a wide range of issues. I also held a Xsummit" last December with airlines and other interested parties to discuss the prospect of further direct flights from Scottish airports.
	As part of a wider consultation on the future development of UK air services, the Government and the Scottish Executive will shortly issue a joint consultation document on air services in Scotland. The document will present the key information to allow an informed and structured debate about future air service and airport development in Scotland.

HOUSE OF COMMONS

Gender Pay Gap

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council what assessment he has made of the extent of the gender pay gap amongst staff in his Department.

Robin Cook: My department uses the pay system operated by the Cabinet Office. Accordingly, I refer the hon. Member to the Answer given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Cabinet Office on 12 March 2001, Official Report, column 956W.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council 
	(1)  how many people have been employed by his Department in each of the last three years under (a) the New Deal for Young People, (b) the New Deal for the Over 50s and (c) the New Deal for Lone Parents; and at what cost, listed by category, to public funds;
	(2)  how many people employed by his Department under the New Deal for Young People in each of the last four years have subsequently (a) found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks and (b) returned to jobseeker's allowance or other benefits.

Robin Cook: My department has employed one person under the New Deal for Over 50's; who is now a permanent member of staff. This was at no additional cost to my Department. My Department has not yet employed a member of staff under the New Deal for Young People or the New Deal for Lone Parents.

School Visits

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the President of the Council if he will bring forward proposals to provide financial assistance to facilitate visits to Parliament by school and youth groups from constituencies located long distances from Westminster.

Robin Cook: I have no such proposals, nor could I realistically hold out hope that such substantial expenditure could be found within the present House vote.

PRIVY COUNCIL

Correspondence

John Bercow: To ask the President of the Council what his target time will be in 2002–03 (a) to reply to letters from hon. Members and (b) for the officials in his office to reply to letters received directly from members of the public.

Robin Cook: I have no plans to change my Department's 15-day target in replying to Members' correspondence, and 20-day target for public correspondence.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

HIV/AIDS

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the Government have done since 1997 to assist countries with AIDS and HIV to gain access to care and treatment; what antiretroviral drugs have been provided to Third World countries; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: My Department has committed significant resources to support a range of HIV/AIDS programmes, including support for national strategic HIV programmes particularly in Africa and Asia. We are also supporting the development of health systems to effectively deliver care, including home-based and palliative care. In parallel, we are supporting work to build a solid evidence base to inform effective and responsible provision of ART in developing countries. Where functioning health systems do exist we are seeking to help governments to consider the issues surrounding the introduction of ART in the most cost effective and equitable way.
	We have also pledged $200 million to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GFATM). The aim of the fund is to support the purchase of essential commodities for tackling HIV/AIDS, TB and Malaria.
	Our Working Group on Access to Medicines is bringing together Government, industry and others to find ways of getting medicines for HIV/AIDS and other diseases to the world's poorest at affordable prices. Better health systems are of course vital for getting drugs to the poor. We have committed over #1 billion to health systems strengthening in developing countries since 1997.

Burma

Ann Widdecombe: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the Government are doing (a) to help relocate Burmese people who have been internally displaced and (b) to restore democracy in Burma.

Clare Short: The UK contributes to the costs of providing safe refuge and assistance both for refugees and those internally displaced within Burma. In 2001–02 my Department increased funding to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (#805,000), the Burmese Border Consortium (#350,000) and the International Commission of the Red Cross (#800,000) to support their work with refugees on the Thai/Burma border and those internally displaced.
	The UK has long been at the forefront of the international community's efforts to bring about national reconciliation, respect for human rights and democracy in Burma. With EU partners we have adopted a Common Position which includes an arms embargo, a ban on high level visits, on items that might be used for torture, and on non-humanitarian assistance, a visa ban and an asset freeze on members of the regime. The EC has also suspended Burma's trading privileges in response to the use of forced labour in Burma. We are also active in the United Nations, co-sponsoring resolutions at UNGA and UNHCR and actively supporting the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy to Burma's effort to facilitate political progress. An EU Troika visited Burma 19–22 March to gauge the latest political developments and press for progress to be made.

Afghanistan

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her Department's latest estimate is of access to humanitarian food aid in Afghanistan; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: Since October 2001, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has delivered 370,000 metric tonnes of emergency food aid to the region; over 300,000 metric tonnes of which has been distributed within Afghanistan. WFP assistance is now successfully reaching 6.6 million people in Afghanistan. Needs have been met in most areas, but there remain pockets of unmet needs in places difficult to access due to poor weather and insecurity.
	In response to this, WFP is deploying six helicopter-borne rapid assessment teams for assessment and delivery of emergency aid to remote areas in Afghanistan. The teams are tasked with streamlining food aid operations, assessing health conditions, investigating non-food emergency needs, monitoring food distribution and verifying reports by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) on earlier food deliveries. If necessary, the helicopters will also allow WFP to airlift a limited amount of food aid on an emergency basis.
	We have contributed #6 million towards WFP's operations inside Afghanistan—for both direct procurement and transportation of food, and for logistical support to help speed up the movement of food aid into the country. We have also supported a number of agencies—the UN, Red Cross and non-governmental organisations (NGOs)—for supplementary feeding and secondary distribution of food inside Afghanistan.

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what financial aid the Government plans to give the FYR Macedonia in the next six months.

Clare Short: We are providing #3 million to the Government of Macedonia for bilateral balance of payments support. The EC has allocated euros 68 million financial aid of which the UK share is #7.93 million.

Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia

John Randall: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what economic aid has been given to the Government of FYR Macedonia by the UK Government in each of the last three years;
	(2)  what development aid has been given by the British Government to the FYR Macedonia in each of the last two years.

Clare Short: During the period 1998 to 2001 DFID has provided #15.041 million of aid of which #12.345 million was humanitarian support. During the same period the EC has provided #139.8 million of assistance of which the UK share is #26.72 million.

International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will affiliate the United Kingdom to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance.

Clare Short: My Department is currently discussing with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance the possibility of working together on specific topics. We are not at this stage considering affiliation.

Commonwealth Development Corporation

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she expects the public-private partnership of the Commonwealth Development Corporation to be completed.

Clare Short: The Government's objectives for CDC is to mobilise increased private investment in developing countries. This is a long-term project which will take many years to complete.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people have been employed by her Department in each of the last three years under (a) the New Deal for Young People, (b) the New Deal for the Over 50s and (c) the New Deal for Lone Parents; and at what cost, listed by category, to public funds.

Clare Short: The information is as follows:
	
		
			  1999 2000 2001 
		
		
			 New Deal for Young People Nil 2 2 
			 New Deal for the Over 50s Nil 2 Nil 
			 New Deal for Lone Parents Nil 1 Nil 
		
	
	The cost to public funds, excluding salary costs, was #1,950 in the over 50s category, and #1,080 in the young people category, all incurred in the year 2000.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many people employed by her Department under the New Deal for Young People in each of the last four years have subsequently (a) found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks and (b) returned to jobseekers' allowance or other benefits.

Clare Short: The information is as follows:
	(a) None in 1998 or 1999, one in 2000 and two in 2001;
	(b) none in any of the last four years.

Commodity Dependence

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what help her Department is providing to people dependent on the sale of commodities in the developing world.

Clare Short: The production and sale of commodities is very important to the livelihoods of people in developing countries. For a significant number of the least developed countries commodities account for more than 50 per cent. of merchandise exports. Price volatility is a characteristic of many commodity markets (such as cocoa, coffee and tea) and reflects changing patterns of consumption and production.
	DFID believes that better livelihoods for poor people must be at the centre of any strategy for poverty reduction. DFID is currently supporting a significant number of livelihood programmes and projects throughout the developing world. These seek to provide direct benefits to poor people, including those whose livelihoods are linked to commodities. The range of commodities involved is extensive and includes fish, cut flowers, horticultural products, cereals, beverages, oilseeds, as well as roots and tubers.
	Improving developing country access to international and regional markets is very important to encourage more processing of commodities and more value added. DFID is working with developing countries to strengthen their capacity in trade. We are also working to tackle tariff and non-tariff barriers to developing country exports, especially those that exist in the European Union. DFID provides support to initiatives that provide more timely market information, contributes to improvements in essential infrastructure (including energy and transport) and works to ensure appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks exist to promote investment.

Human Rights Act

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many cases have been brought against her Department under the Human Rights Act 1998; and what has been the cost in (a) legal fees to defend cases and (b) compensation payments.

Clare Short: There have been no such cases.

Aid Funding

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what aid funding was made available by her Department to countries during 2001.

Clare Short: In 2000–01, the last complete financial year, my Department spent #1.4 billion on bilateral development assistance in 167 countries and #1.3 billion through our donations to multilateral development agencies. In 2001–02 bilateral spending is estimated to rise to #1.65 billion in a similar number of countries while our contribution to multilateral development agencies is projected to increase to #1.4 billion.

Prison Labour

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the countries with which her Department had discussions in 1998 with regard to the use of prison labour for making goods imported into the United Kingdom; and if she will make a statement.

Clare Short: My Department has had no such discussions, in 1998 or since.

Third World

Irene Adams: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action the Government are taking to alleviate illiteracy in the Third World.

Clare Short: Helping developing countries achieve the millennium development goal of universal primary education by 2015 is DFID's major focus for tackling illiteracy. Increasing access to good quality primary education and ensuring that children are literate when they leave school is essential for development and poverty reduction. Since 1997 the Government has committed over #650 million to support sustainable education systems in developing countries able to provide high quality primary education for all children. We will do more.
	We will also give increasing attention to helping developing countries tackle adult illiteracy and poverty reduction. Improving literacy practice for adults continues to be an integral part of many different sectoral programmes supported by DFID, such as transport, water, health, small business development, environment, livelihoods and governance. Our new Background Briefing paper, XImproving livelihoods for the poor: the role of literacy", examines the way in which literacy features in such programmes and the key issues that have emerged as different parts of DFID have considered the ways in which literacy and poverty interrelate. It highlights principles of good practice (drawing on recent experience), examines potential entry points and identifies challenges for DFID in giving greater priority to literacy in our commitment to poverty reduction.

Zimbabwe

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her development programme in Zimbabwe following the election results.

Clare Short: The election outcome is likely to accelerate poverty and hunger in Zimbabwe. The UK is continuing to work with others to urge policy changes on the part of the Zimbabwe Government to halt the catastrophic decline in agriculture, the economy, and social services. In parallel, we are providing humanitarian assistance through the UN and non-governmental channels, and helping to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic that affects 1 in 3 adults.

Zimbabwe

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much money her Department has pledged to the World Food Programme to help deal with food shortages in Zimbabwe; and how much has been spent.

Clare Short: We have pledged #6 million to the UN Humanitarian Assistance Programme, of which #3.5 million is for food. Of the contribution for food #2.5 million has been spent. We have also contributed #86,000 toward the cost of the UN's Relief and Recovery Unit in Harare which is helping to appraise emergency needs, plan, negotiate and monitor emergency assistance on behalf of the UN and donors.

Zimbabwe

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what difficulties her Department is facing in the delivery of humanitarian aid to Zimbabwe; and what action is being taken to overcome such difficulties.

Clare Short: DFID has provided #4 million to partner NGOs to feed 400,000 children and vulnerable adults for the past six months. The main difficulty has been in obtaining adequate supplies of maize. With growing national shortages suppliers have been unable to fulfil their contracts. However, the NGOs, working collectively, are generally managing to make alternative arrangements to import food directly.
	DFID has worked closely with the UN's Humanitarian Assistance and Recovery Programme, providing #6 million for both food and medical supplies. The impact of this has been hampered by the lateness of the Zimbabwe Government appeal, the time taken to assemble the UN team, and the sparseness of donor responses.
	As a wider national food emergency looms, DFID is keeping the situation under review, though what can be done will be greatly affected by the extent to which the Government of Zimbabwe allows a conducive policy environment.

Zimbabwe

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether humanitarian aid provided to Zimbabwe has been seized by Government militia in the last 12 months.

Clare Short: We have had no reports of humanitarian aid being seized. There have been isolated incidents where militias have attempted to include themselves on the list of beneficiaries, though in all cases the non-governmental organisations implementing programmes have managed to have them removed peacefully.

Zimbabwe

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what conclusions she has drawn from the recent elections in Zimbabwe in respect of the New Partnership for African Development.

Clare Short: The situation in Zimbabwe highlights the damage caused by abusive economic and political governance to economic development in Africa. The decision to suspend Zimbabwe from the Commonwealth demonstrates that the leaders involved in developing NEPAD understand the damage the Mugabe regime has done to the people of Zimbabwe and to African development.

Zimbabwe

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what changes she will make to her development policy to countries in southern Africa following the election in Zimbabwe.

Clare Short: None at present. Our co-operation with southern African countries will continue to be based on our understanding of their needs and policies. We will continue to provide humanitarian and HIV/AIDS related assistance in Zimbabwe. A further decline in the Zimbabwe economy, and the food shortages there which are likely to persist into next year, will have an impact on the economies of its neighbours which all development agencies will take into account.

India

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what assessment she has made of the impact of the Vision 2020 project in Andhra Pradesh in India on the local population as regards (a) displacement of population, (b) loss of homes and (c) loss of employment;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the environmental impact of the Vision 2020 project in Andhra Pradesh in India as regards (a) GM crops and (b) use of pesticides;
	(3)  if she will make a statement on the sustainability of the Vision 2020 project in Andhra Pradesh, India.

Clare Short: I refer the hon. Member to my answer to Ms Joan Ruddock on the subject of Andhra Pradesh and Vision 2020, Official Report, column 477W, 20 July 2001. Vision 2020 is not a project, and it is not possible for an assessment to be made of its impact on the issues identified in the questions.

Monterrey Conference

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the United Kingdom's contribution to the Monterrey United Nations Conference on Financing for Development on 18 March.

Clare Short: The United Kingdom played a leading role in the preparatory process leading up to the Monterrey Conference in helping to formulate the EU position for the Conference. The EU worked hard during the negotiations of the text of the outcomes document: the XMonterrey Consensus". This is a good document, in which developing countries commit to set in place the pro-poor economic policies and good governance that is required to attract foreign direct investment and mobilise domestic resources; and donor countries commit to provide enhanced support to developing countries through providing more and better quality oda, through opening up markets to trade access in the context of the Doha process, and through ensuring that the HIPC process provides sustainable debt relief. The UK also played a leading role in developing the package of commitments announced by the EU at Monterrey, which includes a commitment to increase EU aid volume from an average of 0.33 per cent. to an average of 0.39 per cent. by 2006—which represents an additional 7 billion dollars per annum. Baroness Amos and I represented the UK at the Conference itself. I chaired a round table on financing sustainable development and participated in a round table on partnerships. Baroness Amos held a press conference to publicise the DFID/HTM paper on the case for aid and participated in a round table on coherence.

Monterrey Conference

Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her Department's policy in respect of sustainable development, with specific reference to the United Kingdom's participation in the Monterrey Conference on 18 March.

Clare Short: In the XMonterrey Consensus" document which was agreed at the Financing for Development Conference, the nations of the world agreed that developing countries need to set in place pro-poor economic policies and good governance in order to attract foreign direct investment and mobilise domestic resources. Donor countries need to provide more and better oda; provide better market access for developing country products through the Doha negotiations; ensure that the HIPC process provides heavily indebted poor countries with a sustainable exit from debt, and take concrete steps to give developing countries a stronger voice in the international financial architecture. The UK Government, throughout the Financing for Development process, has promoted the view that development assistance should be untied and should be targeted on poor countries with large numbers of poor people and good policies; and that donors should harmonise their procedures to reduce the burden on developing country governments; should move away from stand-alone projects towards direct support through government budgets where possible; should strengthen government accounting and audit capacity so as to enable a greater use of budget support by donors; and should provide aid in support of country-owned poverty reduction strategies.
	The Government believes that the Monterrey Consensus, alongside the WTO Doha Declaration, provides an excellent basis for a new global partnership to tackle poverty eradication and manage globalisation so that it works for all the world's people, including the poorest. We hope that the World Summit on Sustainable Development, at Johannesburg in September, will build on these outcomes, and help to identify means of implementation.
	A full outline of how my department is contributing to the delivery of the Government's commitment to global sustainable development will be published in our Departmental Report next month. Priorities are set out in the two White Papers on International Development (which can be found on www.dfid.gov.uk or obtained from the DFID Public Enquiry Point). In addition, my department has considered the full sustainable development implications of its bid for resources as part of the Spending Review.

EU-funded Projects (Middle East)

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which EU-funded projects in the (a) West Bank and (b) Gaza Strip have recently been damaged by Israeli retaliatory attacks; what the damage incurred was; and what the value of the damage sustained was.

Clare Short: The European Commission is currently assessing the damage caused to EU-funded projects by Israeli attacks. To date approximately 22 projects have been destroyed or seriously damaged, including basic infrastructure projects (schools, labs, tarmac, water supply). The most notable example is the destruction of the runway and buildings of Gaza airport. The latest estimate of damage is about 19 million.
	I will write with details of the damaged or destroyed projects and place a copy in the Library of the House.

Lakshmi Mittal

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  how many loan applications her Department has received from (a) Mr. Lakshmi Mittal and (b) LNM Holdings, and referred to (i) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and (ii) the Department for Trade and Industry;
	(2)  how many loan applications her Department has rejected from (a) Mr. Lakshmi Mittal and (b) LNM Holdings.

Clare Short: To the best of my knowledge, my Department has not received any direct applications for loans from (a) Mr. Lakshmi Mittal or (b) LNM Holdings.

Lakshmi Mittal

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  if she will support at the World Bank Mr. Lakshmi Mittal's expected application for a loan to make further payments to the Romanian Government for the SIDEX steel plant;
	(2)  what instructions she has received from the Office of the Prime Minister on support for Lakshmi Mittal's expected application for a loan from the World Bank to make further payments to the Romanian Government for the SIDEX steel plant.

Hilary Benn: To the best of my knowledge no such application has been made. If one is received Departmental officials will consider its merits in the usual way.

SIDEX

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what investigations into the conduct and financial stability of LNM/Ispat projects overseas were initiated by her Department before it decided to support the proposed loan by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to assist the purchase of SIDEX in Romania.

Clare Short: Adherence to sound banking is one of EBRD's three core principles. The Bank routinely prepares rigorous financial analysis and integrity due diligence for all investments. We do not duplicate EBRD procedures.

SIDEX

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what conditions were attached to each of the loans given by the International Bank of Reconstruction and Development to LNM/Ispat for the acquisition of steel works with particular reference to those attached to the subsequent closure or sale of the steel works in question.

Clare Short: The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development has not made any loans to LNM/Ispat for the acquisition of steel works.
	The International Finance Corporation made loans to Caribbean Ispat Ltd in Trinidad and Tobago in 1995 and to Ispat Karmet in Kazakhstan in 1997 for projects relating to steel works. The IFC negotiates appropriate financial and other conditions with individual clients.

Yugoslavia

Robert Wareing: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is providing to Yugoslavia to help that country deal with its refugee problem.

Clare Short: Humanitarian assistance in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, including assistance for refugees, is co-ordinated by the United Nations Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the European Commission Humanitarian Affairs Office (ECHO). The UK provides funds for these agencies, including 19.7 per cent. of the ECHO budget.
	We have already agreed with the FRY authorities that our bilateral programme will focus on providing technical assistance for institution and capacity building, and for economic and social reform, as described in our Country Strategy Paper. Within this strategy we are developing a #3.2 million social policy reform programme that will improve the delivery of social welfare, health, employment and education services. This programme pays particular attention to refugees and internally displaced persons. We are also working closely with the World Bank in the design of a credit package aimed at improving social welfare, education and health services.

Zambia

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when she last visited Zambia; what assistance her Department is providing to Zambia; and if she will make a statement on her Department's assistance for Mechanics for Africa.

Clare Short: I last visited Zambia in November 2000.
	In the current financial year we estimate that we will spend around #41 million in Zambia. We concentrate on four key areas: good governance and human rights, sustainable livelihoods, health and education, and HIV/AIDS. We are working closely with the World Bank on plans to mitigate the effects of Anglo-American's withdrawal from mining operations in Zambia.
	My Department is not currently providing assistance to Mechanics for Africa, although we are aware of their work in Zambia. They have been given advice on applying to the British High Commission's Small Grants Scheme.

Disability

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance she offers to developing countries in dealing with disability issues.

Clare Short: The Department for International Development is currently supporting nearly 40 projects and programmes around the world with a focus on the rights and needs of people with disabilities. In the past year we have approved in excess of #154 million of new funding for work in this area (#136 million for the polio eradication programme). The global drive to reduce poverty will also bring many benefits, in reducing some of the key causes of disability and improving the quality of life and opportunities for people with disabilities.
	DFID's strategy on disability is set out in an issues paper published in February 2000, called XDisability, poverty and development". We work closely with Governments, the voluntary and private sectors, and the bilateral and multilateral donor communities, to ensure that disability is addressed in the context of the fight against poverty and the realisation of human rights for all.

Commonwealth Aid

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the total financial value was of aid and assistance give by the United Kingdom to each member country of the Commonwealth in each of the last five years.

Clare Short: The information requested is set out in the following table.
	
		UK assistance to Commonwealth countries -- # thousands
		
			 Country 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Botswana 4,246 4,171 3,275 3,045 2,469 
			 Cameroon 2,205 2,140 3,589 7,005 5,629 
			 Gambia, The 1,862 1,311 979 1,370 1,742 
			 Ghana 28,475 30,428 62,907 52,032 75,200 
			 Kenya 26,439 30,025 42,163 32,927 62,609 
			 Lesotho 3,911 4,985 4,167 2,974 2,274 
			 Malawi 44,876 30,651 52,629 49,377 56,942 
			 Mauritius 1,273 1,704 1,195 570 1,656 
			 Mozambique 26,610 48,311 28,902 70,630 43,304 
			 Namibia 5,670 4,482 3,861 3,571 2,712 
			 Nigeria 7,867 9,346 11,216 14,597 16,182 
			 St. Helena & Dep 7,990 8,765 8,805 9,363 10,116 
			 Seychelles 406 328 216 300 30 
			 Sierra Leone 10,841 3,293 9,153 30,044 35,142 
			 South Africa, Republic of 23,214 28,372 35,110 47,838 36,755 
			 Swaziland 9,598 3,448 3,981 3,533 2,636 
			 Tanzania 56,415 51,437 78,085 75,099 110,598 
			 Uganda 49,207 59,325 64,261 90,286 93,111 
			 Zambia 40,529 46,742 33,511 46,677 93,296 
			 Zimbabwe 21,007 13,715 29,394 17,363 14,716 
			 Anguilla 1,367 2,520 1,977 2,058 2,232 
			 Antigua & Barbuda 235 900 629 1,650 1,332 
			 Bahamas 99 5 -1 35 15 
			 Barbados 323 250 533 1,049 197 
			 Belize 7,360 2,331 9,357 14,876 8,132 
			 Bermuda 57 30 0 13 4 
			 British Virgin Islands 1,095 604 677 5,188 3,618 
			 Cayman Islands 26 13 23 49 20 
			 Dominica 5,011 14,711 2,531 2,481 1,174 
			 Falkland Islands and Deps 4 2 0 0 0 
			 Grenada 635 2,118 1,141 923 615 
			 Guyana 7,041 92,487 22,962 16,233 31,069 
			 Jamaica 9,687 3,165 10,142 9,041 8,426 
			 Montserrat 14,441 37,867 31,096 22,640 20,811 
			 St. Kitts-Nevis 628 805 609 99 1 
			 St. Lucia 441 10,355 442 886 1,006 
			 St. Vincent and Grenadines 587 1,736 681 311 215 
			 Trinidad and Tobago 278 284 258 254 214 
			 Turks and Caicos Islands 3,198 2,569 3,808 4,044 2,848 
			 Bangladesh 44,330 39,078 67,361 71,794 76,921 
			 Brunei 18 10 6 6 5 
			 India 111,789 114,022 110,374 107,283 128,817 
			 Malaysia -1,307 -1,259 960 1,086 591 
			 Maldives 348 292 310 292 286 
			 Pakistan 59,365 32,704 27,654 23,477 16,342 
			 Singapore 210 153 133 139 150 
			 Sri Lanka 19,891 11,552 7,864 7,827 10,453 
			 Cyprus 287 310 380 188 144 
			 Gibraltar 163 192 103 23 27 
			 Malta 120 1,934 146 99 122 
		
	
	DFID has a regional programme in the Pacific; figures on countries in the region that are members of the Commonwealth are not available separately.

Angola

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is providing to the peace process in Angola following the death of Jonas Savimbi.

Clare Short: Since the death of Jonas Savimbi we have made a contribution of #200,000 to help expand the services of Radio Ecclesia beyond Luanda to the Angolan provinces. Radio Ecclesia is the only fully independent radio broadcaster in Angola able to operate nationwide. It is well known as a key source of objective news reporting and political analysis within Angola, essential to the building of a lasting peace settlement. I plan to visit Angola next week to discuss with the Government the opportunities to achieve peace in Angola and the wider region. I had a very useful preliminary meeting with the Angolan Foreign Minister on these issues last week.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what assistance her Department is providing to the peace process in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and if she will make a statement on the talks taking place in South Africa.

Clare Short: To date DFID has provided #525,000 in support of the direct costs of the Inter-Congolese Dialogue. This is supplemented by a contribution of #650,000 to the Radio Okapi project which is disseminating information on the peace process to the Congolese people, and #160,000 to assist peace and reconciliation in the Kivus. We continue to press all signatories to the Lusaka Peace Agreement to honour their commitments and work constructively towards a full peace settlement in the region. It is paramount that the delegates currently engaged in the Sun City talks avoid further prevarication and commit themselves to the critical task of reaching agreement on arrangements for a transitional government and timetable for free elections. Much time has already been lost in the Dialogue and it is crucial that real progress is now seen, for the sake of all of the people of the region.

Rwanda

Ivan Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much aid the Government have sent to Rwanda from 1997 to 2001; and what plans the Government have to send aid in the future.

Clare Short: Between 1997 to 2001 the UK provided #89 million in development assistance to Rwanda. In 1999 the UK made a 10-year commitment with the Government of Rwanda to help their post-conflict recovery and enable them to meet the International Development Targets. We have provided around #30 million in development assistance this financial year and expect our support to continue at least at this level over the next few years.

Gaza Strip

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the results of the midwifery training project funded by her Department to improve standards of midwifery in the Gaza Strip; and how many midwives it has trained.

Clare Short: The Gaza Midwifery project was established in 1999 to improve safe motherhood by developing the capacity of the midwifery profession in Gaza. The project will have trained 27 midwives by June 2002, and plans to train a total of 89 by June 2004. The current crisis has adversely affected the implementation of training, but enrolment and graduate numbers remain over 80 per cent. of that originally envisaged.

Turkey

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what discussions she has had with the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry regarding Amec's application to the Export Credits Guarantee Department to cover its work in Turkey.

Clare Short: I have not had any involvement in this case. My department worked closely with ECGD to agree a new set of business principles, including the incorporation of sustainable development criteria. My department is involved in the productive expenditure screening process for applications relating to those countries receiving International Development Association (IDA) funding. We do not get involved in individual export credit applications in non-IDA countries such as Turkey.

Occupied Territories

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the results have been of her Department's funded water and sanitation projects in (a) Jabalia and (b) Anabta in improving water supplies to the Palestinians in the Occupied Territories.

Clare Short: The project in Jabalia has led to improvements in both the quality and quantity of water for household consumption. Sanitary standards have also increased as the majority of households are now connected to a new sewage network. To ensure these gains are sustained a programme of hygiene and sanitary education is being implemented.
	The quality of the water network in Anabta has improved by 90 per cent. At least 75 per cent. of households are connected to the new sewage network. However, the current crisis is affecting the implementation of the project with equipment embargoed by the Israeli Port Authorities, and access for project staff becoming increasingly difficult.

Occupied Territories

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what effect the aid given to the Palestinian Authority's Minister for Education by her Department has had on her Department's capacity to manage (a) planning of teacher training, (b) school development and (c) the teaching of English in that region.

Clare Short: The Palestinian Authority is responsible for planning teacher training, school development and teaching English. Between 1995–2000 we have provided technical assistance in these areas. Nearly all schools in the Palestinian Authority have benefited in some way from this.
	(a) all primary school head teachers, and most secondary school heads, have participated in a School Review and Development Planning programme, and over 12,000 teachers have received support for their personal development;
	(b) we piloted in a limited number of schools the development of management expertise focused on the preparation of guidelines and operating procedures. The final assessment of the project found that institutional capacity within the targeted schools had greatly increased;
	(c) English language training was not a component of this assistance.
	The work of United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) includes an education programme for Palestinian refugees. The UK supports UNRWA's work, providing #25 million in 2001.

Occupied Territories

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to address unemployment in the occupied territories.

Clare Short: We are supporting the World Bank's Employment Generation and NGO Capacity Building Programmes, both of which are designed to tackle rising unemployment in the Palestinian Territories. We have also contributed to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency's (UNRWA) Emergency Appeal, which includes employment creation schemes for Palestinian refugees.

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will amend poverty reduction strategy papers—PRSPs—so that at decision point there is scope for greater financial flexibility to take into account changing factors and amendments to the plan can be made before completion point.

Clare Short: Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) are country-owned documents produced by Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC), setting out how they intend to use the resources available to them—including from debt relief—to tackle poverty more effectively. We place great importance on this process, which involves consultation with civil society and the international donor community.
	Under the HIPC Debt Initiative, countries receive interim debt relief once they reach Decision Point, at which stage they are required to produce an interim PRSP—a road map setting out what action needs to be taken to produce a full PRSP by Completion Point. Clearly, their circumstances may have changed by the time they reach Completion Point when the relief becomes irrevocable. The UK has worked to encourage agreement that the debt sustainability of countries will be reviewed at Completion Point, and that additional relief will be provided, in exceptional cases, where there has been fundamental changes in a country's circumstances due to external adverse factors.

Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what action she is taking to address the difference between the growth rate built into Malawi's PRSP and its actual growth rate.

Clare Short: We and other donors are advising the Malawi Government on the necessary conditions for higher growth. Prerequisites are restoration of macroeconomic stability, and improved economic and financial management. The Government has recently declared its intention to proceed with key reform measures. If successful, these should lead to higher private sector led growth.

Conflict Resolution

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department is giving to non-governmental organisations (a) in the UK and (b) elsewhere to enable them to undertake peacemaking, peacebuilding and conflict resolution activities.

Clare Short: My Department provides support to both UK-based and overseas non-governmental organisations through a number of sources, including through the Civil Society Challenge Fund and through our geographical programmes. We also have Partnership Programme Agreements (PPAs) with 11 UK-based NGOs and PPAs with a further four NGOs are under discussion. Expenditure under these PPAs in the 2002–03 financial year is expected to total #56,300,000. A substantial proportion of these agencies are working in localities which are either in conflict or have recently experienced conflict: peacemaking, peacebuilding and conflict resolution activities are therefore a key part of the challenge of promoting sustainable development and reducing violent conflict.

Conflict Resolution

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps she is taking to develop her Department's work in the field of conflict and humanitarian affairs.

Clare Short: Violent conflict remains one of the most important obstacles to reducing poverty. My Department is developing its work in the field of conflict prevention and peacebuilding both directly through our work in developing countries and with two conflict prevention pools jointly managed by DFID, the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
	More than 20 countries in sub-Saharan Africa are currently devastated by or are recovering from violent conflict and 20 per cent. of the continent's population live in countries affected by armed conflicts. Through the Africa Pool, an inter-Departmental strategy has been developed for conflict prevention and peace-keeping in Africa, which focuses on geographic and thematic priorities. The Strategy involves working with international partners to support African Governments and institutions to prevent and resolve conflict at country and regional level.
	We have focused particular attention on securing peace and stability in Sierra Leone and contributing to the establishment of durable and lasting solutions to the conflicts in the Great Lakes and Sudan. More broadly, my Department will continue to work on building inclusive and accountable governance structures, including security sector reform, strengthening state institutions and improving people's livelihoods, all of which contribute directly to conflict prevention and peacebuilding in Africa. With regard to Security Sector Reform, working with other donors and with international organisations and institutions, my Department has been active in developing policy as well as in implementing practical reform measures.
	We also continue to address the issues raised by the Report of the Panel on UN Peace Operations, better known as the Brahimi Report, to help improve the ability of the UN to deal with complex peace operations. Activities have to date focussed on developing the resources for information gathering and analysis in and around the United Nations, and we are now discussing further activities with the UN Department of Peace Keeping Operations to further strengthen their operational capabilities.
	Under the Global Conflict Prevention Pool, my Department, in close co-operation with FCO and MOD, is implementing a #19.5 million programme that seeks to reduce the uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons. We will continue to clarify and address the relationship between the uncontrolled proliferation of small arms and light weapons, insecurity and underdevelopment.
	We have also developed a methodology to help development agencies assess possible development interventions in countries at risk of violent conflict. This methodology has been endorsed and picked up by other donor agencies in their conflict prevention work.
	DFID is also active in its support of conflict prevention work at regional and international levels and through contributions to multilateral agencies, including the United Nations and the EU. We provide core support for the strengthening of the key humanitarian agencies—UNHCR, OCHA, WFP and the Red Cross family, as well as UNDP, UNICEF and the OHCHR—in addition to contributing to specific appeals during emergencies. We continue to be heavily involved with humanitarian mine action, primarily through the UN Mine Action Service. This includes mine clearance, developing indigenous capacity and the development, testing and trailing of suitable technologies.
	My Department will continue to focus on improving and strengthening the disaster response mechanism that exists under the co-ordination of the United Nations at both local and global level to respond to disasters around the world. Following a disaster, most lives are saved in the first few hours by immediate local effort. We are therefore working to build local, national and regional capacities for effective response.

Conflict Resolution

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what contribution her Department is making to the training of UN personnel engaged in peacemaking, peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

Clare Short: In the Report of the Panel on UN Peace Operations published in August 2000 (better known as the Brahimi Report), emphasis was placed on the importance of equipping UN personnel with the necessary skills in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.
	We have been supporting a number of training initiatives for UN personnel (and others), notably, the UN Staff College training course in Early Warning and Preventive Measures, which provides UN field and Headquarters staff with basic skills in conflict analysis, as well as a comprehensive guide to the UN prevention process through the use of case studies. We have been supporting this course since its development in 1998 and over 720 UN staff have been trained to date.
	In addition to this, we support the Fellowship Programme in Peacemaking and Preventive Diplomacy at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). This training in conflict analysis, with a particular focus on negotiation and mediation, is designed for mid-level UN officials and National Government Civil Servants.
	My Department also provides capacity building support to the Office of Emergency Programmes in UNICEF and the Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery in UNDP.
	This supports a range of institutional development activities, from policy development to monitoring and evaluation. It also supports in-house training activities with a particular focus on conflict and other humanitarian emergencies. The training programmes not only benefit the staff in these specialised units, but also other Headquarters staff, and of course, field staff.
	In conjunction with the Canadian government we have sponsored the development, production and implementation of gender training materials for personnel involved in peace support operations. They emphasise women's role in conflict-reduction and peacebuilding activities.

Conflict Resolution

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much has been spent by her Department on conflict resolution activities in the 2001–02 financial year.

Clare Short: During the financial year 2001–02 my Department expects to spend #4,500,000 on activities whose primary purpose was conflict prevention. We are also jointly responsible for expenditure on conflict prevention initiatives under the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool and the Global Conflict Prevention Pool, together with the Ministry of Defence and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Excluding peacekeeping costs, expenditure under the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool this financial year is expected to total #12,220,000 and expenditure for conflict prevention programmes under the Global Conflict Prevention Pool is expected to total #26,100,000.

Conflict Resolution

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what support her Department is giving to courses furnishing civilians with the necessary skills to participate in peacemaking, peacebuilding and conflict resolution.

Clare Short: My Department supports a number of organisations providing formal and informal training opportunities to civilians in peacemaking, peacebuilding and conflict resolution activities. Civil society in developing countries has a key role to play in preventing and resolving conflicts, and organisations such as religious groups, the media, business and non-governmental organisations are often effective in promoting dialogue and reconciliation, as part of wider efforts to address the sources of tension and grievance which give rise to conflict.

Correspondence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the target time will be in 2002–03 for (a) Ministers to reply to letters from hon. Members and (b) officials in her Department to reply to letters received directly from members of the public.

Clare Short: The target time for reply to all correspondence received by DFID from Members of parliament and the public remains unchanged at 15 working days; in line with the target time prescribed by the Cabinet Office. In 2001, DFID replied to 87 per cent. of MPs letters and 90 per cent. of letters/e-mails sent direct to our Public Enquiry Point, within the 15 day target. The correspondence figures for all Government departments are published annually by the Cabinet Office.

Creche Facilities

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what creche facilities are provided by her Department; and at what cost.

Clare Short: There are no creche facilities provided by my Department. We do provide holiday playschemes at both our Headquarters sites.
	Our site in East Kilbride operates under a three-way partnership made up of DFID, Inland Revenue and Scottish Nuclear. Our site in London is part of the Whitehall Holiday Playscheme, run by the Cabinet Office at three sites in central London and open to a large proportion of Government Departments.

Secondments

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many members of staff were employed by her Department on secondment from non-governmental organisations in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001.

Clare Short: The information is as follows:
	1999: 2
	2000: 4
	2001: 4.

Access to Information

Tony Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the administrative manuals and internal guidance which her Department has made public as required by Part 1 of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information; and which of these were first made available after May 1997.

Clare Short: Since November 2001, the Department for International Development has made available the following administrative manuals and internal guidance under its Freedom of Information Pilot Publication Scheme: Office Instructions; Evaluation Guidelines and Records Management Guidance.
	Such guidance was not made available proactively under the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information.

Public Service Agreement

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development which public service agreement targets scheduled to be met in 2002 will not be achieved by the due date.

Clare Short: The information on Public Service Agreement targets set by my Department between April 1999 and April 2002 will appear in DFID's Departmental Report which will be published in April.

PFI/PPPs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will list the (a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership projects which have been delayed.

Clare Short: DFID have no Private Finance Initiatives or Public Private Partnerships which have been delayed.

Criminal Damage

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the cost has been of criminal damage to her Department's buildings in each of the last four years.

Clare Short: There have been no costs attributable to criminal damage to my department's buildings over the specified period.

Celebrations

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what arrangements her Department has made to celebrate (a) St. Patrick's Day, (b) St. George's Day, (c) St. Andrew's Day and (d) Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee; and how her Department celebrated St. David's Day.

Clare Short: No arrangements have been made to celebrate any of these dates.

PRIME MINISTER

Public Bodies (Chairmen)

Eric Forth: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the appointments made by his Department since 1 May 1997 of chairmen of (a) non-departmental public bodies, (b) commissions, (c) inquiries, (d) agencies and (e) task forces; and if he will list their (i) term of office, (ii) salary and (iii) known political affiliation (A) past and (B) present.

Tony Blair: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Deputy Prime Minister, on Monday 25 March, Official Report, columns 586–9W.

Lord Birt

Norman Baker: To ask the Prime Minister if he was informed of Lord Birt's financial connections when he appointed him to his present transport role; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: holding answer 7 February 2002
	Lord Birt was appointed in accordance with the rules set out in paragraph 51 of the Ministerial Code. I am satisfied that there is no conflict of interest.

Consultants

John Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister what the total cost to his Office was of the use of external consultants in each of the last four years.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office today.

Publicity Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the publicity and advertising campaigns run by his Office in each of the last four years, specifying the (a) purpose, (b) cost to public funds, (c) number of staff involved and (d) method of evaluation in each case.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on Monday 25 March, Official Report, column 589W.

Press Office

John Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister how many staff in his press office have received (a) termination and (b) redundancy payments in each of the last four years.

Tony Blair: None.

Peers (Salaried Appointments)

George Mudie: To ask the Prime Minister if he will list those peers appointed since May 1997 who have been given salaried posts by Government Departments, indicating the salary involved in each case.

Tony Blair: The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost. In respect of my office, I have appointed Baroness Morgan as a special adviser. In accordance with Exemption 12 of Part II of the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information, details of individual salaries are not disclosed in order to protect the privacy of the individuals concerned.
	Information on the membership of the boards of public bodies, and their remuneration, is set out in the annual publication Public Bodies. Similar information in respect of membership of Task Forces, Ad Hoc Advisory Groups and reviews is set out in the annual report on Task Forces, Ad hoc Advisory Groups and Reviews. Ministerial appointments are set out in the List of Ministerial Responsibilities. All three documents are published and copies are available in the Library of the House.

Human Rights Act

John Bercow: To ask the Prime Minister how many cases have been brought against his Office under the Human Rights Act 1998; and what has been the cost in (a) legal fees to defend cases and (b) compensation payments.

Tony Blair: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him by my hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office on Monday 25 March, Official Report, column 585W.

LNM Holdings

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Lewes (Norman Baker) of 4 February 2002, Official Report, column 690W, whether he assesses the allegations made relating to (a) Mr. Mittal and (b) representatives of LNM to be unsubstantiated and unjustified; and if he will make a statement.

Tony Blair: I have nothing further to add.

Disabled People

Tom Clarke: To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations he has had further to his welcome on 5 July 2000 for Rehabilitation International's Charter for the Third Millennium, with particular reference to developments in relation to the Charter's call for a UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People; and what reply has been sent.

Tony Blair: I refer my right hon. Friend to the answer I gave my right hon. Friend the Member for Manchester Gorton (Mr. Kaufman), on 25 March 2002, Official Report, column 620–1W.

Petition (Isle of Wight)

Andrew Turner: To ask the Prime Minister what his response is to the petition of residents of the Isle of Wight delivered to No. 10 Downing Street on 19 March.

Tony Blair: I have asked my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to reply on my behalf.

Gavin Martin Taylor

Andrew Turner: To ask the Prime Minister when he expects to respond to the letter from the hon. Member for the Isle of Wight concerning the death of Gavin Martin Taylor.

Tony Blair: My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health will be replying to the letter this week.

SOLICITOR-GENERAL

Ministerial Visits

Keith Vaz: To ask the Solicitor-General how many overseas visits she has made since 7 June 2001.

Harriet Harman: Since 7 June 2001, I have made one visit overseas to the Pontignano conference in Italy from 21–23 September 2001.

Counsel (Ethnic Monitoring)

Keith Vaz: To ask the Solicitor-General what ethnic monitoring she has initiated concerning use of counsel by her Department.

Harriet Harman: As to civil work, since the introduction of a competitive appointments system in 1998 all applicants to be included in panels of junior counsel maintained by the Attorney General and as standing counsel have been asked to complete an equal opportunities monitoring form which asks them to indicate their ethnic origin. Completion of the form is voluntary. The method of selection for the panels and the operation of the panel system is being reviewed.
	As to criminal work apart from the Crown Prosecution Service and the Serious Fraud Office, a panel of junior counsel conducting cases on behalf of HM Customs and Excise, the Inland Revenue, the Department of Work and Pensions/Health, the Department of Trade and Industry, DEFRA, the Health and Safety Executive and the Environment Agency is being set up.
	All applicants to be considered for the panel and, in the recently concluded appointments exercise for the Customs and Excise and the Department of Trade and Industry, as standing counsel, have been invited to complete an equal opportunities monitoring form, completion of which is voluntary.
	As to the Crown Prosecution Service, all applicants to be considered for lists of junior counsel maintained by the CPS are invited to complete an ethnic monitoring form on a voluntary basis. The CPS maintains a national database with details of the ethnicity and gender of all counsel on its lists. Since July 2001 the CPS has been monitoring its distribution of work to counsel by ethnicity and gender. A computer program has been developed to facilitate data collection which will be made available in all CPS areas within the next few months. The information currently being gathered is shared with the Bar and the distribution of work is discussed at regular liaison meetings, which take place on all circuits.
	The Serious Fraud Office is in the process of establishing a new counsel Xpool" containing the names of counsel considered suitable for SFO work, who have been referred by their Heads of Chambers. When accepted by the Director for inclusion in the SFO Xpool", counsel are invited to complete an individual ethnic monitoring form on a voluntary basis. When the new pool has been in operation for a year, the results of this monitoring will be reviewed.
	The Law Officers are committed to promoting diversity and equal opportunity. Advertisements for all recruitment exercises state that members of ethnic minorities are particularly encouraged to apply.

Auld Report

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Solicitor-General what representations she has received concerning the Auld Report; and if she will make a statement.

Harriet Harman: I have discussed issues raised by Sir Robin Auld's Report of his Review of the criminal courts with many individuals, including Crown Prosecutors, defence practitioners and hon. Members, and I have also taken part in three of the Ministerial Xroadshows", in Newcastle, Birmingham and Cambridge, where the Report was discussed with a wide range of interested parties.
	Formal representations on the Report, of which there have been over 400, have been received on behalf of the Government by the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Customs and Excise

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Solicitor-General what progress has been made in implementing the recommendations made by his Honour John Gower QC and Sir Anthony Hammond KCB QC in their report on prosecutions conducted by the Solicitor's Office of HM Customs and Excise.

Harriet Harman: In the Parliamentary Answer given by the then Attorney General on 12 March 2001, Official Report, column WA68, he announced that the Government had accepted all the recommendations in principle, but had opted for a phased approach to implementation.
	Since that announcement, the Prosecutions Group of the Solicitor's Office has forged ahead with a rapid programme of change, to enable it to deliver legal services of a high quality in a responsive and flexible way. New managers and staff have been recruited, the organisation has been restructured, and working practices are being reformed.
	The Parliamentary Answer also referred to accountability for the prosecutions function moving from the Commissioners to the Attorney General on 1 April 2002.
	Final agreement has not yet been reached on the implementation of Recommendation 4 of the Gower/Hammond Recommendations, which recommended that in relation to the prosecution function the Solicitor for the Customs and Excise should not be funded by the Commissioners, but should have his own ring fenced budget and be accountable for his own expenditure.
	This Recommendation is accepted in principle by the Government, but there are technical issues relating to the establishment of a separate vote which require further time to resolve. The Government is committed to the full implementation of Recommendation 4 no later than 1 April 2003, but in the meantime the Prosecutions Group budget will remain as part of the Customs and Excise vote, though it will be separately identified and managed by the Solicitor for the Customs and Excise, and financial Accounts/Reports will be produced as if that budget has been established as a separate vote.
	As a consequence of these revised arrangements, the Attorney General will not assume full accountability for the prosecutions function from 1 April. Instead, from that date the following arrangements will apply:
	(1) The Commissioners (and Treasury Ministers) will be responsible for, and accountable to Parliament for:
	anything done in the course of an investigation;
	enforcement policy, including the resources to be deployed;
	prosecution policy ie the seriousness with which offences should in general be treated and wider issues of Departmental policy such as the disclosure of informants;
	decisions on alternatives to prosecution such as compounding, civil evasion action etc.
	(2) The Law Officers will be responsible for, and accountable to Parliament for:
	the quality of legal advice given by Investigation Legal Advisers;
	the quality of the Prosecutions Group casework decision making in relation to cases referred to that Group for prosecution;
	the application (the Prosecutions Group having consulted with Customs Administrators, as appropriate) of prosecutions policy and public interest factors to individual defendants in cases referred to the Prosecutions Group for prosecution.
	Inspection of the Prosecutions Group by the CPS Inspectorate will commence on 1 April 2002, and the Prosecution Group will proceed with the trials referred to in the previous Parliamentary Answer.
	The Government is satisfied that the arrangements that will apply from 1 April strengthen the involvement of the Attorney General with the difficult and complex criminal casework conducted by the Solicitor's Office, maintain the momentum of change that has been established and preserve an appropriate position on Parliamentary accountability.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Immigration

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to replace the application forms for foreign nationals wishing to apply for leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

Angela Eagle: The current application forms are valid for use only until 14 April 2002. Revised forms will be prescribed before then. They will be available shortly. From the time they are issued until 14 April 2002, applications may be made on either the new forms or the present versions. Only the new forms may be used for applications made on or after 15 April 2002. Copies will be placed in the Library when they are available.

Immigration

David Hinchliffe: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons are for the delay in forwarding immigration status letters in Case Ref. No. Z1010863/4; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 14 March 2002
	I wrote to my hon. Friend about this case on 25 March 2002.

Police Performance Indicators

Lawrie Quinn: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will announce the (a) ministerial priorities and (b) Best Value performance indicators for the police for 2002–03.

John Denham: I am pleased to announce that the statutory instruments have now been laid before the House. The Ministerial Priorities, which will come into effect on 1 April 2002, are:
	to help create safe communities by reducing crime, anti-social behaviour and disorder through effective partnership working, including reducing the availability and use of Class A drugs;
	to reduce the fear of crime in all sections of the community and in particular to increase the trust and confidence in policing amongst minority ethnic communities; and
	to increase the number of offences for which offenders, and particularly persistent offenders, are caught and brought to justice, in partnership with other criminal justice agencies.
	Subject to the approval of both Houses, the Best Value Performance Indicators will also come into effect on 1 April 2002. My right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary, has honoured his undertaking to the police that he would make a significant reduction to the number of indicators to focus police effort where it is most needed. The full list will be placed in the Library in the next few days.
	The Home Secretary will, by the summer, introduce a performance indicator on tackling persistent offenders. Persistent offenders must be caught and dealt with to protect the public from their activities. An indicator to measure police success in driving up performance will be introduced as soon as data collection systems are in place.

Office Accommodation

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made on his plans for new office accommodation for the Home Office and Her Majesty's Prison Service staff working in Central London.

David Blunkett: A contract has been awarded to Annes Gate Property plc, for a new development on the site of the former Department of Environment offices at Marsham Street. The contract is for a period of 29 years and involves the construction of new office accommodation, its long-term maintenance, and provision of facility management and business support services. The net present cost of the contract is around #311 million at current prices. The demolition of the existing building at Marsham Street will start as soon as possible. On current plans, completion of the new development is expected to be Spring 2005. Westminster City Council have already given planning consent for the re-development of the site which includes mixed office, residential and commercial development. The Department plans to vacate five of its existing office buildings in central London after the move to Marsham Street.

Asylum Seekers

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what written representations have been made to him in the last three months concerning staffing levels and staff training at Yarl's Wood; and if he will place copies to the Library.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 28 February 2002
	Oral representations were made to my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary during his visit to Yarl's Wood removal centre on 18 March 2002. The issues of staff levels and staff training at Yarl's Wood will naturally be amongst those covered by the Immigration and Nationality Directorate inquiry into the incident.

Asylum Seekers

Edward Leigh: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  if the Asylum Seeker Accommodation Centre proposed for Hemswell Cliff will require a staff of between 200 and 300; from where they will be recruited; and what training they will receive;
	(2)  what training employees of accommodation centres will receive and at what estimated annual cost;
	(3)  what assessment has been made of the need for additional public transport if the Hemswell Cliff development proceeds;
	(4)  what consultation with the local health authorities takes place before an accommodation centre is established;
	(5)  what the estimated annual running cost of the proposed Asylum Seekers Accommodation Centre at Hemswell Cliff is;
	(6)  what steps he is taking to ensure that all member states of the European Union meet the provisions of the Geneva Convention relating to asylum seekers;
	(7)  if additional funding will be given to Lincolnshire Police if an Accommodation Centre for Asylum Seekers is built at Hemswell Cliff;
	(8)  what the annual budget of the National Asylum Support Service in the last financial year was; and the estimated budget for the current financial year;
	(9)  what consultations have taken place to ensure that no further strains will be put on the provision of dental services in Lincolnshire if an asylum seekers' accommodation centre is built at Hemswell Cliff.

Angela Eagle: It is estimated that an accommodation centre with around 750 residents would require between 200 and 300 staff. These are likely to include a mixture of locally recruited staff, together with some who transfer from elsewhere in the country. Staff training, and its cost, will be a matter for the contractors selected to run the sites.
	Transport implications will form a part of the planning process for the trial Accommodation Centres. We will provide for transport for residents where necessary.
	We will consult local service providers as part of the planning process. Department of Health officials will act as the initial conduit between the Home Office and the National Health Service (NHS) in respect of accommodation centres once the sites have been selected.
	This is a matter for contractors who will run the centres. Bids to operate Accommodation Centres have not yet been invited.
	I am satisfied that in most respects our European partners are already meeting the quite broadly defined provision of the Geneva Convention. However, it is true that there are differences in the way the Geneva Convention is interpreted and there are variations in asylum practice among Member States. This is why the United Kingdom (UK) government has committed itself to helping establish a common European asylum system, which can respond effectively to the challenge that global movements of people present and help limit unwarranted secondary movement of asylum seekers between European Union (EU) states.
	The Government has opted in to all the European asylum proposals to date and in doing so continues to exert maximum influence during negotiations. Of particular significance in reaching consensus on a common application of the Geneva Convention is the proposal for a Council Directive on minimum standards for the qualification and status of refugees, presented by the European Commission in November 2001. One of the key aims of this draft directive is to establish a common interpretation of Article 1A of the Geneva Convention, the grounds for refugee status. The definition of prosecution adopted by the Commission reflects the current UK position.
	Hemswell Cliff is just one of a number of places that are being considered as a possible suitable site for an Accommodation Centre for Asylum Seekers. A final decision has not yet been taken. We have no plans to vary police grant in areas where asylum facilities may be located.
	The budget for National Asylum Support Services (NASS) in 2000–01 was #38* million. This figure includes grants totalling #22 million* to the voluntary sector for the provision of services to asylum seekers and refugees.
	Total spending on asylum support in the year 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 was #751 million*. This includes grant payments of #580 million* to local authorities and the Scottish Executive for provision of accommodation and support for asylum seeking adults and families under the Interim Regulations and for unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC). A further #12 million* was paid to local authorities and the Scottish Executive directly by NASS under contracts to provide accommodation and related services for dispersed asylum seekers.
	#46 million* was paid directly by NASS to private sector accommodation providers for the provision of accommodation and related services to dispersed asylum seekers.
	The budget for the current financial year, 2001–02, is #36 million*. This figure includes grants totalling #18.1 million* to the voluntary sector for the provision of services to asylum seekers and refugees.
	The budget for asylum support for 2001–02 is #1,094 million*.
	No consultations have taken place on the provision of dental services in Lincolnshire in relation to the potential site at Hemswell Cliff. Health care will be provided at Accommodation Centres and we will consider how best dental services can be provided in consultation with the Department of Health.
	* All figures rounded to nearest # million.

Asylum Seekers

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what guidelines he has issued on the establishment of centres housing asylum seekers in remote rural areas;
	(2)  if he will make a statement on the security criteria for centres housing asylum seekers in remote rural areas.

Angela Eagle: holding answer 25 March 2002
	No guidelines have been issued. Home Office officials are currently looking at a number of potential sites, but no decisions have yet been taken. A wide range of factors, including transport, environmental, and health and safety issues, will be taken into account before the final site selection is made.
	In making final decisions on preferred sites, we will take all the relevant factors into account including security, to which the hon. Member refers. These assessments have not yet been made.

Leave to Remain

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications to remain in this country have been (a) granted and (b) refused under the domestic violence concession; and if he will make a statement.

Angela Eagle: Up to the end of 2000, the latest available data from case records, show that 93 applications were made under the terms of the concession, of which 63 have been granted settlement and 30 have been refused.

Public Appointments

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many appointments to public bodies have been made through his Department (a) from April 2000 to March 2001 and (b) since 31 March 2001; and how many of these were (i) men and (ii) women.

Angela Eagle: The number of men and women appointed, or re-appointed, by Ministers in this Department to bodies sponsored by this Department during the periods in question is as follows:
	
		
			 Period Men appointed Women appointed 
		
		
			 1 April 2000 to 31 March 2001 296 176 
			 1 April 2001 to 28 February 2002 204 142 
		
	
	Summary information contained in 'Public Bodies 2001', which was published on 14 February 2002, shows that as at 31 March 2001, women held 34 per cent. of appointments made to the boards of public bodies, and people from ethnic minority backgrounds held 4.8 per cent. of appointments. This is an increase of 1 per cent. and 0.4 per cent. respectively on the previous year. The position in the Home Office was better than the average: on 31 March 2001 women held 40 per cent. of all appointments to Home Office sponsored NDPBs, and people from ethnic minority backgrounds held 9.1 per cent.
	The Home Office has included the following in its objectives to be achieved by March 2005:
	1. XTo increase the number of women applicants for appointments to public bodies so as to achieve an interim target of 45 per cent. women appointees by 31 March 2005."
	2. XTo ensure that women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds and disabled people are each represented in line with these targets on the different types of bodies, and in responsibility, including the Chair and Vice-Chair."
	To achieve these objectives the Department will, amongst other measures:
	1. Employ targeted advertising to encourage under-represented groups to apply.
	2. Seek possible candidates using candidate lists held by other government departments.
	3. Continue to monitor the composition of the different types of bodies sponsored by the Home Office and the proportion of women, people from ethnic minority backgrounds and disabled people in positions of Chair and Vice-Chair.

Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  how many times the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator held meetings with members and officials of the United States Government between 18 February 2000 and 3 August 2001; when and where each of these meetings took place; and which (a) United States Government departments and (b) members and officials of the United States Government were involved in each meeting;
	(2)  how many times the United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator has held meetings with members and officials of the United States Government since 3 August 2001; when and where each of these meetings took place; and which (a) United States Government departments and (b) members and officials of the United States Government were involved in each meeting.

Bob Ainsworth: Between 18 February 2000 and 3 August 2001 the former United Kingdom Anti-Drugs Co-ordinator held meetings in his office with members and officials of the United States (US) Government on three occasions as follows:
	On 18 February 2000 he met Wendy Chamberlain, Principal Deputy Assistant for International Narcotics Law Enforcement Affairs in the US together with Mike McManamon, Drugs Enforcement Agency (DEA) Attache and George Dragnich, Counsellor for Labor and Social Affairs from the US Embassy in London;
	on 23 August 2000 he met Congressman John Mica, together with Mike McManamon and Sharon Pinkerton, Mr Mica's assistant;
	on 6 March 2001 he met George Dragnich and Su Zann Lamb, Justice and Home Affairs Liaison Officer at the US Embassy London.
	Following the election last year, responsibility for delivering the National Drugs Strategy transferred to the Home Secretary. Since 3 August 2001, my right hon. Friend, the Home Secretary has met with John Ashcroft, United States (US) Attorney General (11–12 December 2001) and James Sensenbrenner, Chair of the House of Representatives Judiciary Committee (17–18 January 2002). Both meetings took place in London.
	Keith Hellawell, who is now employed part time as the Home Secretary's expert adviser on drugs, has met only one official from the United States Government since 3 August 2001. The official was Keith Eddins who is employed as the US First Secretary covering Justice and Home Affairs issues at the US Embassy in the Czech Republic. The meeting took place at the British Embassy in Prague on Wednesday 20 February 2002.

Court Attendance

Roy Beggs: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many days are lost annually by professional health staff required to attend court to give evidence of injury incurred by pensioners who have been subjected to physical assault; and what the estimated cost of this is to the public service in each of the last three years.

John Hutton: I have been asked to reply. 
	The information requested is not collected centrally.

WALES

Human Rights Act

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales how many cases have been brought against his Department under the Human Rights Act 1998; and what has been the cost in (a) legal fees to defend cases and (b) compensation payments.

Paul Murphy: None.

Creche Facilities

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what creche facilities are provided by his Department; and at what cost.

Paul Murphy: None.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Publicity Expenditure

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the total real terms expenditure of her Department, its agencies and non-departmental public bodies on publicity in each of the years (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) 2001–02, (i) to date and (ii) as estimated for the whole of the present year; and if she will break these figures down to indicate expenditure on (A) advertising and (B) press and public relations.

Ivan Lewis: Expenditure from the Department's central advertising and publicity budget is as follows (in real terms):
	
		
			  # million 
		
		
			 1997–98 11.9 
			 1998–99 14.3 
			 1999–2000 10.3 
			 2000–01 15.0 
			 2001–02 (to end January) 6.0 
			 2001–02 (estimated) 11.7 
		
	
	In addition to expenditure from this central budget, expenditure from budgets allocated to individual programmes will also include spend on publicity related activity. It is not possible, except at disproportionate cost, to separately identify all such publicity related expenditure. It is possible to identify expenditure on advertising and on public relations drawn from all budgets and this is as follows (in real terms):
	
		
			  Advertising (#m) Public relations (#m) 
		
		
			 1997–98 11.0 0 
			 1998–99 16.8 0.6 
			 1999–2000 12.4 0.1 
			 2000–01 29.7 0.8 
			 2001–02 (to end January) 17.7 0.6 
			 2001–02 (estimated) 17.7 0.6 
		
	
	Information on expenditure by agencies and non-departmental public bodies is not held centrally.

Celebrations

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what arrangements her Department has made to celebrate (a) St. Patrick's Day, (b) St. George's Day, (c) St. Andrew's Day and (d) Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee; and how her Department celebrated St. David's Day.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 11 March 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the reply the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport gave to the hon. Member for Suffolk South on 11 February, Official Report, columns 58–59W.
	The Department has made no specific arrangements to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, St. George's Day, St. Andrew's Day or St. David's Day.

Examination Results

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills 
	(1)  how many, and what proportion of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs at A* to C grades in each year between 1997 and 2001;
	(2)  how many and what proportion of pupils achieved five or more GCSEs at A* to C grades, where those grades included an A* to C grade in each of English, maths and science, in each year between 1997 and 2001.

Ivan Lewis: The number and proportion of 15-year-old pupils that achieved five or more GCSEs at A* to C grades, including English, mathematics and science in England are in the table:
	
		
			  Number As percentage of 15-year-old pupils 
		
		
			 1996–97 194,708 33.2 
			 1997–98 197,179 34.3 
			 1998–99 207,272 35.7 
			 1999–2000 214,181 36.9 
			 2000–01 226,879 37.6 
		
	
	The number and proportion of 15-year-old pupils that achieved five or more GCSEs at A* to C grades in England are in the table:
	
		
			  Number As percentage of 15-year-old pupils 
		
		
			 1996–97 264,892 45.1 
			 1997–98 266,431 46.3 
			 1998–99 278,560 47.9 
			 1999–2000 285,727 49.2 
			 2000–01 301,521 50.0

Consultants

Frank Dobson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will estimate the number of former teachers and headteachers working for firms of consultants providing services for her Department, local education authorities and schools.

Ivan Lewis: holding answer 25 March 2002
	The Department for Education and Skills does not collect this information. The former occupation of consultants is a matter for individual consultancy companies as employers.

Connexions

Phil Hope: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how the Connexions service will be evaluated.

Ivan Lewis: The evaluation of the Connexions Service will build on the experience of the pilot studies using a combination of opinion surveys, impact studies and a programme identifying effective practice.
	Opinion surveys. These will cover the views of young people including non-users of the Connexions Service and the opinions of the key stakeholders involved with each Connexions Partnership. Run annually, using a standard set of questions, these surveys will make it possible to monitor changes in views towards the Service over time as Connexions is rolled out nationally.
	Impact studies. This component of the evaluation strategy will look in detail at Partnership activity to assess how effective the service has been in helping young people. The focus will be on the range of interventions made by a personal adviser and the intention is to track a selected cohort of young people over time to assess outcomes.
	Identifying effective practice. The third component of the strategy is to secure prompt feedback about what works operationally and what constitutes effective practice. A rolling programme of studies will be commissioned covering specific issues relevant to the key delivery areas of the Service.

Faith Schools

Graham Allen: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the faith schools which receive public funding, specifying the amount in each case.

Stephen Timms: There are approximately 5,000 voluntary schools maintained by Local Education Authorities (LEAs) in England with either a religious or church-related character. LEAs' Section 52 budget statements do not identify these schools separately; it is therefore not possible to provide the information requested without incurring disproportionate costs. All LEA maintained schools are funded on a similar basis, via a local formula methodology, which is based predominately on pupil numbers, along with other specific factors which relate to individual schools' needs.

NVQs (Grants)

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what (a) the number of grants paid out and (b) the average grant allocation given to individuals to obtain National Vocational Qualification level II was in each of the last five years.

Margaret Hodge: There is a range of support payments available to eligible students and trainees studying towards National Vocational Qualification Level 2, including: Education Maintenance Allowances paid to young people who stay on at school or college and available on a pilot basis in 30 per cent. of England; Access Funds paid to students in cases of hardship and also used to fund residential support for certain specified courses for which a young person needs to live away from home; Training Allowances for 16–24 year olds in unwaged work based learning; and help with the childcare costs of those in learning. In addition, the Department provides significant funding to cover the tuition costs of the education and training provided to individuals.
	It is not possible, however, to identify either the total number of NVQ Level 2 students helped or the average value of financial assistance received by individuals. Information held by the Department does not differentiate between those individuals studying towards NVQ Level 2 and those aiming for other types and levels of qualification.

Schools

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what her policy is on surplus places in schools; and if she will publish the numbers and percentages of surplus places for each local education authority in England

Stephen Timms: Our policies are focused on raising educational standards. It is wasteful for resources to be locked into maintaining surplus places in schools. Wherever possible these should be freed up and directed towards improving standards. In planning school provision, local education authorities should look for opportunities for removing surplus capacity, with a view to bringing supply and demand for school places into better balance. Their initial focus should be on those schools with 25 per cent. or more of their places unfilled, having particular regard to standards at those schools. The overall aim should be to maximise parental preference and to provide good quality education in the most cost-effective way. The Department's annual survey of surplus places allows us to monitor how local education authorities are meeting this challenge. The Audit Commission has again drawn attention to this issue and, with District Auditors, is promoting good practice.
	Local education authorities have again made progress in the removal of surplus places. The survey returns indicate that there were 699,770 surplus school places in January 2001, representing 9 per cent. of the total capacity of 7.8 million places. This is an overall reduction of 10,219 places on the 2000 figures. Since 1998 a total of 74,050 surplus places have been removed. This reduction means that more money will be spent raising school standards rather than maintaining empty buildings.
	The following tables are based on the returns made by the local education authorities in respect of all maintained primary and secondary schools in their area. They set out the numbers of surplus places as at January 2001 for each local authority area, listing primary and secondary separately, together with the proportion that these represent of total capacity. They also highlight the numbers of schools which at that date had surplus of 25 per cent. or more, and at least 30 surplus places, together with the proportion that these represent of the total number of schools.
	The number of schools with 25 per cent. or more surplus places has again risen for the second successive year, to 2,441 compared with 2,406 in 2000. As with the 2000 survey, the number of primary schools in this category has risen (2,139 in 2001 which represents 12 per cent. of all primary schools, compared to 2,013 (11 per cent.) in 2000) while the number of secondary schools has declined (302 in 2001, which represents 9 per cent. of all secondary schools, compared with 393 (11 per cent.) in 2000).
	The returns also provide the Department with details of the action authorities propose to take on schools with 25 per cent. or more surplus. The returns indicate that in many cases action is being taken, or is planned. Where planning strategies are unclear in areas with particularly high levels of surplus, the Department will be following up with the authorities concerned.
	
		Surplus places by local authority area at January 2001
		
			   Primary1 Secondary  
			   Actual surplus2 Schools with surplus of 25 per cent. or more3 Actual surplus Schools with surplus of 25 per cent. or more3  
			 LEA Name Number of places Surplus as a percentage of total places Number Per cent. Number of places Surplus as a percentage of total places Number Per cent. 
		
		
			 301 Barking and Dagenham 1,260 7 2 4 467 4 0 0 
			 302 Barnet 768 3 0 0 639 3 0 0 
			 370 Barnsley 1,754 8 8 9 1,223 9 1 7 
			 800 Bath and NE Somerset 1,197 9 8 12 721 6 1 8 
			 820 Bedfordshire 4,161 15 28 19 4,121 10 11 19 
			 303 Bexley 1,274 6 5 8 2,195 11 0 0 
			 330 Birmingham 7,531 7 31 10 4,195 6 6 8 
			 889 Blackburn 780 5 3 5 610 6 1 11 
			 890 Blackpool 561 5 2 6 286 4 0 0 
			 350 Bolton 1,816 7 7 7 487 3 0 0 
			 837 Bournemouth 422 4 0 0 1,026 10 1 10 
			 867 Bracknell Forest 1,073 11 4 12 801 12 1 17 
			 380 Bradford 7,419 15 36 23 2,775 8 3 11 
			 304 Brent 1,600 8 4 7 1,317 9 1 8 
			 846 Brighton and Hove 1,860 10 6 10 1,167 9 2 20 
			 801 Bristol 3,370 11 15 13 1,568 8 0 0 
			 305 Bromley 533 2 2 3 442 2 0 0 
			 825 Buckinghamshire 6,036 13 34 18 901 3 1 3 
			 351 Bury 1,155 7 4 6 220 2 1 7 
			 381 Calderdale 1,757 9 8 9 789 5 0 0 
			 873 Cambridgeshire 4,287 9 20 10 1,364 4 1 3 
			 202 Camden 899 8 5 12 909 8 2 20 
			 875 Cheshire 7,972 13 50 17 3,149 7 4 9 
			 908 Cornwall 3,974 9 27 11 200 1 0 0 
			 201 Corporation of London 6 3 — — — — — — 
			 331 Coventry 2,730 9 11 12 1,645 7 2 11 
			 306 Croydon 1,533 5 3 3 1,277 7 1 5 
			 909 Cumbria 5,711 13 35 12 4,016 11 8 19 
			 841 Darlington 855 9 5 14 421 7 0 0 
			 831 Derby, City of 1,888 8 8 10 2,158 13 2 14 
			 830 Derbyshire 6,492 10 44 12 3,918 8 7 15 
			 878 Devon 5,333 9 25 8 1,519 4 0 0 
			 371 Doncaster 5,459 17 25 22 1,205 5 1 6 
			 835 Dorset 2,496 9 16 12 2,248 7 1 3 
			 332 Dudley 2,831 10 8 10 724 4 1 5 
			 840 Durham 6,687 14 57 23 2,916 8 3 8 
			 307 Ealing 2,508 10 7 11 242 2 0 0 
			 811 East Riding of Yorkshire 3,339 11 20 15 1,026 5 1 6 
			 845 East Sussex 2,568 7 11 7 1,036 4 0 0 
			 308 Enfield 825 3 3 5 2,873 12 1 6 
			 881 Essex 11,414 9 49 10 6,616 7 4 5 
			 390 Gateshead 1,747 10 4 5 551 5 0 0 
			 916 Gloucestershire 5,896 12 31 12 2,043 5 2 5 
			 203 Greenwich 2,569 12 10 15 1,323 9 2 14 
			 204 Hackney 1,898 11 7 12 858 10 1 11 
			 876 Halton 2,276 17 15 28 1,162 12 2 22 
			 205 Hammersmith and Fulham 990 11 4 11 488 7 0 0 
			 850 Hampshire 10,968 10 51 12 5,200 7 5 7 
			 309 Haringey 1,103 6 3 4 1,471 11 1 9 
			 310 Harrow 2,256 11 5 9 851 9 1 10 
			 805 Hartlepool 882 9 2 7 709 10 1 17 
			 311 Havering 2,440 11 8 12 931 6 0 0 
			 884 Herefordshire 2,234 14 15 18 1,085 10 2 14 
			 919 Hertfordshire 9,153 9 41 10 9,632 12 13 15 
			 312 Hillingdon 1,442 7 3 4 1,188 7 3 18 
			 313 Hounslow 1,854 10 6 9 545 3 0 0 
			 921 Isle of Wight 640 8 2 4 775 6 0 0 
			 420 Isles of Scilly 102 42 2 50 36 23 0 0 
			 206 Islington 1,963 12 9 18 793 10 1 11 
			 207 Kensington and Chelsea 942 13 4 15 583 14 0 0 
			 886 Kent 6,552 6 18 4 7,623 8 5 5 
			 810 Kingston upon Hull City of 4,629 17 15 19 1,915 11 2 13 
			 314 Kingston upon Thames 294 3 1 3 631 7 1 10 
			 382 Kirklees 3,483 9 14 9 2,279 8 3 9 
			 340 Knowsley 2,632 15 15 25 1,395 12 1 9 
			 208 Lambeth 2,228 11 6 9 1,656 19 3 30 
			 888 Lancashire 12,653 12 87 17 5,773 7 8 9 
			 383 Leeds 9,478 14 41 17 3,545 7 5 12 
			 856 Leicester City 3,916 13 18 21 943 5 0 0 
			 855 Leicestershire 3,603 7 16 7 3,157 7 4 7 
			 209 Lewisham 1,173 6 2 3 1,826 14 2 15 
			 925 Lincolnshire 6,025 10 37 13 4,197 9 9 14 
			 341 Liverpool 6,766 15 33 21 3,112 9 3 9 
			 821 Luton 2,139 10 6 10 426 4 0 0 
			 352 Manchester 4,490 11 24 16 1,943 8 3 13 
			 887 Medway Towns 1,641 7 12 13 2,928 13 1 5 
			 315 Merton 1,231 9 8 16 1,312 15 2 18 
			 806 Middlesbrough 2,012 13 7 15 787 8 2 18 
			 826 Milton Keynes 3,509 14 17 20 1,728 13 3 27 
			 391 Newcastle upon Tyne 2,039 10 11 15 2,004 10 5 24 
			 316 Newham 1,572 6 4 6 1,323 7 0 0 
			 926 Norfolk 6,876 10 38 10 3,020 7 4 8 
			 812 North East Lincolnshire 2,256 14 13 22 838 7 1 8 
			 813 North Lincolnshire 1,575 10 1 1 1,027 9 1 7 
			 802 North Somerset 872 6 2 3 691 5 0 0 
			 392 North Tyneside 1,861 11 7 13 1,770 12 3 15 
			 815 North Yorkshire 6,438 13 49 15 1,675 4 1 2 
			 928 Northamptonshire 5,605 10 25 9 3,501 7 6 10 
			 929 Northumberland 3,874 18 34 24 3,254 10 11 19 
			 892 Nottingham City of 2,544 10 14 14 3,529 21 6 30 
			 891 Nottinghamshire 6,350 9 33 11 7,984 13 15 26 
			 353 Oldham 2,222 10 8 8 1,134 7 2 13 
			 931 Oxfordshire 4,104 8 22 9 4,749 11 3 7 
			 874 Peterborough 1,825 11 6 10 1,238 9 3 23 
			 879 Plymouth City of 2,026 9 3 4 795 4 1 6 
			 836 Poole 569 5 1 3 676 8 1 11 
			 851 Portsmouth 1,414 9 5 9 179 2 0 0 
			 870 Reading 525 5 1 3 1,235 16 3 38 
			 317 Redbridge 926 4 0 0 649 3 0 0 
			 807 Redcar and Cleveland 1,517 10 6 12 1,430 12 3 23 
			 318 Richmond upon Thames 438 4 1 3 569 7 1 13 
			 354 Rochdale 1,786 8 8 11 1,434 9 2 14 
			 372 Rotherham 2,561 10 10 9 1,383 7 1 6 
			 857 Rutland 679 21 4 22 234 10 1 33 
			 355 Salford 3,119 14 13 15 2,234 15 3 19 
			 333 Sandwell 2,248 8 10 10 2,551 12 3 15 
			 343 Sefton 3,560 13 15 16 1,280 6 2 9 
			 373 Sheffield 4,647 10 20 14 1,102 4 0 0 
			 893 Shropshire 3,099 12 24 17 588 3 1 5 
			 871 Slough 1,026 9 3 10 333 4 0 0 
			 334 Solihull 1,533 8 6 9 277 2 0 0 
			 933 Somerset 3,159 8 12 5 2,864 9 4 10 
			 803 South Gloucestershire 2,404 10 10 10 1,285 7 1 7 
			 393 South Tyneside 1,251 9 3 5 1,161 10 1 9 
			 852 Southampton 2,036 11 10 15 658 5 0 0 
			 882 Southend 774 5 1 2 695 6 0 0 
			 210 Southwark 1,806 8 4 6 1,148 11 1 8 
			 342 St. Helens 1,672 10 6 10 1,000 8 0 0 
			 860 Staffordshire 7,441 10 42 13 899 2 2 3 
			 356 Stockport 2,964 11 15 15 1,171 7 0 0 
			 808 Stockton on Tees 1,633 9 3 5 668 5 0 0 
			 861 Stoke on Trent 4,835 19 21 24 934 6 1 6 
			 935 Suffolk 6,114 12 32 13 4,610 8 5 6 
			 394 Sunderland 4,700 16 25 26 983 5 2 12 
			 936 Surrey 10,967 13 62 19 3,737 7 4 8 
			 319 Sutton 902 6 2 5 670 5 1 7 
			 866 Swindon 2,588 13 8 12 352 3 0 0 
			 357 Tameside 1,399 7 5 6 1,064 7 2 11 
			 894 Telford and the Wrekin 1,319 8 1 2 789 8 2 15 
			 883 Thurrock 2,079 14 5 11 957 11 1 10 
			 880 Torbay 430 4 3 9 238 3 0 0 
			 211 Tower Hamlets 2,784 13 10 14 1,028 7 1 7 
			 358 Trafford 1,557 8 9 12 1,053 6 1 6 
			 384 Wakefield 3,141 10 15 12 1,096 5 0 0 
			 335 Walsall 2,243 9 6 6 1,504 7 1 5 
			 320 Waltham Forest 1,789 8 7 11 884 7 2 13 
			 212 Wandsworth 1,485 9 6 11 465 5 1 11 
			 877 Warrington 2,573 13 13 18 492 4 0 0 
			 937 Warwickshire 4,754 11 20 10 2,712 8 4 11 
			 869 West Berkshire 1,567 12 8 12 331 3 0 0 
			 938 West Sussex 6,451 10 28 11 4,374 9 3 8 
			 213 Westminster 395 4 1 3 697 9 0 0 
			 359 Wigan 2,590 9 13 12 1,161 6 2 10 
			 865 Wiltshire 4,928 12 34 16 2,643 9 6 18 
			 868 Windsor and Maidenhead 382 5 3 7 314 3 0 0 
			 344 Wirral 3,765 12 16 16 2,325 9 1 4 
			 872 Wokingham 777 6 3 6 38 0 0 0 
			 336 Wolverhampton 3,049 12 15 17 1,171 7 1 6 
			 885 Worcestershire 5,068 12 27 14 4,285 10 9 15 
			 816 York 1,637 11 5 8 779 7 0 0 
			  Total 449,037 10 2,139 12 250,733 7 302 9 
		
	
	1 Primary figures show surplus after taking account of summer entry.
	2 Actual surplus is defined as the difference between capacity and number on roll for all schools where capacity exceeds number on roll.
	3 Schools with less than 30 surplus places are not included.

Schools Private Finance Initiative Projects

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what new schools private finance initiative projects she will support for signature in 2003–04; and if she will make a statement.

John Healey: Fifty-three Local Education Authorities have recently submitted proposals to the Department, seeking funding support through PFI credits for school based projects aiming to sign in 2003–04. These proposals represent a PFI credit requirement of over #3 billion. Following a rigorous appraisal of the bids by the Department's officials, we are today announcing that 21 projects, representing more than #900 million PFI credits in total, have been approved in principle and will be invited to prepare outline business cases for further consideration. Proposals representing around #750 million are expected to sign in 2003–04, and the remainder in 2004–05.
	This is a very substantial package of investment. It will support the Government's drive to improve the learning environments in schools, and will also help to further raise standards for children, the school workforce and the wider community.
	Details of the projects to be supported are being published today in a Departmental Press Notice and I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Libraries of the House.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  if the public service agreement target for the transfer of responsibility for underwater archaeology was achieved on time;
	(2)  which public service agreement targets scheduled to be met in 2002 will not be achieved by the due date.

Kim Howells: The transfer of responsibilities in respect of underwater archaeology to English Heritage is dependent on legislation to extend English Heritage's remit out to the limit of the territorial waters of the UK adjacent to England. Provision for this was included in the Government's Culture and Recreation Bill which fell before the last election, thus preventing us meeting this element of the PSA target. Similar provisions are included in Baroness Anelay's National Heritage Bill which is currently before Parliament and is receiving Government support. We are hopeful that the transfer will take place in the near future.
	Information about progress on PSA targets will be published in the Department's 2002 Departmental Report.

Public Service Agreements

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if the PSA target that 80 per cent. of public libraries should have Internet connections by 2002 will be met on time.

Kim Howells: The #100 million lottery funded programme to connect all public libraries to the Internet is proceeding well with 71 per cent. of libraries in England now online and is expected to meet the year end deadline by which time all libraries will be online.

British Tourist Authority

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement on the recent activities of the British Tourist Authority in attracting foreign visitors to Scotland.

Kim Howells: The British Tourist Authority's recent activities to attract visitors to Britain have all featured Scotland prominently, for example, the new Britain's Royal Heritage map features Scottish locations such as Glamis and The Queen's View. The Hidden Britain campaign, launched last year, highlights 14 routes through less well-known parts of Britain, including Blair Atholl and Pitlochry. In addition, the BTA's Bollywood Movie Map identifies locations throughout Britain, including Scone Palace and Brechin, which have been used in over 20 Indian films.

Items in Lieu of Tax

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what the cost was of (a) the storage and (b) the upkeep and maintenance of items accepted in lieu of tax by the Inland Revenue in the last 12 months; and which Department is responsible for these costs.

Kim Howells: Items which are accepted in lieu of tax by the Inland Revenue are allocated to nominated institutions which will display them to the public. Therefore any costs for their storage, upkeep and maintenance are borne by these institutions in the same way that they will bear the costs of any other item kept by them.

Tourism Statistics

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to change the collection of tourism statistics; and if she will publish these statistics on the departmental website.

Kim Howells: We are currently examining what cost efficient changes to the current system of collection of tourism statistics might be made.
	Tourism statistics are already available on the STAR UK website (www.staruk.org.uk) which was established jointly by the National Tourist Boards and DCMS.

Odsal Stadium

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what discussions her Department has had with interested parties on the redevelopment of Odsal Stadium, Bradford.

Richard Caborn: My Department has had no such discussions with the interested parties involved in the redevelopment of the Odsal Stadium, but my officials are aware of the proposed scheme. I visited Odsal Stadium on one of my regional visits.

Pub Opening Hours

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what measures she has taken to allow pubs to open at later hours;
	(2)  what assessment she has made of the impact of pub opening hours on the binge drinking culture;
	(3)  what statutory restrictions there are on pubs opening at late hours; and if she will introduce legislation to allow pubs to open at any time.

Kim Howells: The White Paper XTime for Reform: Proposals for the Modernisation of Our Licensing Laws (Cm 4696)", published on 10 April 2000, set out our views on the problem of binge drinking and our plans for reforming the alcohol and public entertainment licensing laws in England and Wales, including the hours during which alcohol may be sold or supplied to the public at public houses and other premises. The existing law establishes permitted licensing hours outside of which licensed premises may not sell or serve alcohol without the special permission of licensing justices; and their consent may only be granted in particular circumstances.
	The existing fixed closing times are artificially early. They actively contribute to binge drinking at the end of normal opening time, and result in significant numbers of intoxicated people on our streets simultaneously. This in turn leads to peaks of disorder around closing times. To counter and minimise public disorder resulting from fixed closing times, we intend to introduce flexible opening hours as a condition of the licences of each venue, with the potential for some to operate up to 24 hour opening on each day of the week, subject to consideration of the impact on local residents. These changes require the amendment of primary legislation and we intend to introduce a Bill to that end as soon as Parliamentary time permits.

Free Television Licences

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many pensioners in Portsmouth have benefited from free television licences; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: TV Licensing, which administers the free television licence scheme for the BBC as Licensing Authority, is not able to provide geographical breakdowns of the number of free licences issued. However, estimates based on the 1991 Census indicate that there were approximately 14,600 people aged 75 or over in the Portsmouth, North and Portsmouth, South constituencies.

Educational and Sports Facilities

Laura Moffatt: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will make a statement regarding her assessment of the benefits of combining community sports facilities with educational facilities on a single site.

Richard Caborn: Enhancing facilities is an integral part of the Government's PE and school sport strategy, being delivered jointly by the Department for Education and Skills and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Space for Sport and Arts programme is providing #130 million, and the New Opportunities #541 million within England alone, to ensure schools have the facilities they need to deliver PE and school sport whilst also opening up schools so the wider community can also benefit from the new facilities.

Gambling Review Body

Ivan Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will publish her conclusions on the report of the Gambling Review Body.

Tessa Jowell: We have today laid before both Houses a document setting out the Government's detailed response to the report of the Gambling Review Body. This paper, A Safe Bet for Success, sets out the Government's vision for a modern system of regulation for gambling in Great Britain. We shall bring forward a Bill to give effect to our proposals when Parliamentary time permits.

Media Ownership Rules

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will publish the results of the recent consultation on media ownership rules.

Tessa Jowell: I am today publishing a summary of the responses to the Consultation on Media Ownership Rules published by my Department in November 2001. This will be available on the Department's website (www.culture.gov.uk). The summary is intended to help all interested parties understand the issues and the arguments that have been put forward on this complex and important area. The Government's decisions on these issues will be announced alongside the draft Communications Bill which we hope to publish around the end of April.
	I am arranging for copies of the summary to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Lottery Grants (Distribution)

Nick Harvey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  if she will take steps to improve the levels of Lottery grants to (a) Barrow-in-Furness and (b) Wear Valley;
	(2)  what appraisal she has made of Lottery funding levels for (a) Barrow-in-Furness and (b) Wear Valley;
	(3)  if she will discuss with Lottery distributing bodies the level of grants to (a) Barrow-in-Furness and (b) Wear Valley.

Richard Caborn: According to the information supplied to us by the distributing bodies for the national lottery awards database, Lottery funding per capita made to date in the Barrow-in-Furness and Wear Valley local authority areas is #144.03 and #89.77 respectively. This compares to a median value of #91.76 per capita for UK local authorities. The Government is committed to ensuring that all areas in the UK benefit from Lottery funding and is working with distributors to achieve this.

PFI/PPPs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport 
	(1)  what the difference was between the price offered in reaching preferred bidder stage and the final contract price for PPP contracts let by her Department in each of the last four years; and if she will make a statement;
	(2)  what the difference was between the price offered in reaching preferred bidder stage and the final contract price for the five largest PFI contracts let by her Department in each of the last four years; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: holding answer 25 March 2002
	The Department for Culture, Media and Sport, has had no involvement with Private Finance Initiative contracts in any of the last four years.

Correspondence

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport when she will reply to the letter of 19 December 2001 from the hon. Member for Fareham, concerning his constituent Mrs. Miolk.

Kim Howells: I replied to the hon. Member on 25 March 2002 and I apologise for the delay in replying.

HEALTH

MRSA

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the extent of MRSA in NHS hospitals.

Yvette Cooper: Early data on Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus rates for every acute trust in England were published on 8 February 2002 in the Public Health Laboratory Service Communicable Diseases Report. This is the first phase of a comprehensive and mandatory surveillance system for healthcare associated infection.

Barnsley Primary Care Trust

Eric Illsley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce the shortfall in the 2002–03 budget of the Barnsley primary care trust.

Hazel Blears: South Yorkshire Strategic Health Authority and the Northern Directorate of Health and Social Care are currently working with the Barnsley health community to tackle the financial situation.

NHS Beds (North-West)

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what change there has been in the number of NHS beds in hospitals in the north-west since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: There has been a marked increase in the number of acute hospital beds.
	In 1996–97, there were 16,792 acute beds in hospitals in the North West of England (excluding North Cumbria Health Authority) and by 2000–01, this had increased to 17,224. This represents an increase of 432 (2.6 per cent.).
	The figures for total beds, given in the following table, show a more appropriate provision of care outside the hospital environment.
	
		Staffed beds in wards open overnight—Average daily total for the financial year
		
			  1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 
		
		
			 Acute 16,792 17,006 17,082 17,094 17,224 
			 Geriatric 4,251 3,748 3,462 3,466 3,565 
			 Maternity 5,171 5,030 4,748 4,636 4,499 
			 Learning disability 925 644 572 492 414 
			 Mental health 1,667 1,616 1,496 1,463 1,399 
			   
			 Total beds 28,806 28,044 27,360 27,150 27,101 
			 Total general/ acute beds 21,043 20,751 20,544 20,560 20,790 
		
	
	Note:
	Excludes North Cumbria HA

Nursing Home Charges

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the average level of nursing home charges.

Jacqui Smith: The level of nursing home fees will vary from area to area and will reflect local market conditions. According to Laing & Buisson, consultants in health and community care, the average weekly nursing home fee in private homes for older people in the United Kingdom in March 2001 was #393 per week.

Health Service Accountability

Roger Casale: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to promote public accountability in the health service; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: We are giving members of the public the chance to monitor review and make reports and recommendations on the local health service through Patients' Forums; setting up the Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health to ensure everyone gets the opportunity to be involved; and giving locally elected councillors the role of scrutinising local health services.

Hospital Mergers

Peter Lilley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to analyse the impact of hospital mergers on health outcomes for patients.

John Hutton: Achieving good health outcomes for patients must be the most important consideration in any service change.
	New arrangements following the Health and Social Care Act 2001 mean that local authority Overview and Scrutiny Committees (OSCs) will have power to scrutinise local services.
	Where a proposed service change is contested by the OSC, I am establishing an Independent Reconfiguration Panel, to provide independent advice on the suitability of the proposed service changes. Its recommendations will assess proposed changes against clear criteria, including quality of care, community health needs, accessibility and resourcing.

Cancer Treatment

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to visit Southend Hospital to discuss the provision of cancer treatment for people in South East Essex.

Jacqui Smith: A meeting has been arranged for 28 March by Eastern Regional Office to which local hon. Members, councillors and officials from Essex Strategic Health Authority designate have been invited to allow fuller discussion of the provision of cancer treatment for people in South East Essex.

Cancer Treatment

Evan Harris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will announce whether the targets of (a) a maximum one month wait for breast cancer treatment and (b) a maximum one month wait for urgent GP referral to treatment for children's and testicular cancers and acute leukaemia have been met in England.

Yvette Cooper: The standards of a maximum wait of one month from diagnosis to first definitive treatment for breast cancer and one month from urgent general practitioner referral to treatment for children's and testicular cancers and acute leukaemia came into effect at the end of December 2001. Central monitoring began on 1 January 2002 and data will be published on a quarterly basis.

Cancer Treatment

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his policy on waiting times for cancer treatment.

Yvette Cooper: The NHS Cancer Plan sets out our strategy to reduce waiting times for cancer patients. The ultimate goal is that no one should wait longer than one month from an urgent referral for suspected cancer to the beginning of treatment except for a good clinical reason or through patient choice. There is a series of staged milestones towards this goal: new targets introduced for 2001 were a maximum one month from diagnosis to treatment for breast cancer and a maximum one month from urgent GP referral to treatment for acute leukaemia and children's and testicular cancer. By 2005 there will be a maximum one month wait from diagnosis to treatment and a maximum two month wait from urgent GP referral to treatment for all cancers. Achievement of these targets will be supported by investment in workforce and equipment, and by service redesign through the Cancer Services Collaborative.

Cancer Treatment

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of progress towards the reduction of waiting times for cancer treatment.

Yvette Cooper: The NHS Cancer Plan sets out a series of staged milestones towards the goal that no one should wait longer than one month from an urgent referral for suspected cancer to the beginning of treatment except for a good clinical reason or through patient choice. A two week outpatient waiting time standard was introduced in December 2000 and in the last quarter 95.1 per cent. of urgent referrals for suspected cancer were seen within two weeks. Standards of a maximum wait of one month from diagnosis to first definitive treatment for breast cancer and a maximum one month from urgent GP referral to treatment for children's and testicular cancers and acute leukaemia came into effect at the end of 2001. Central monitoring of these standards began on 1 January 2002 and data will be published on a quarterly basis.

Health Inequalities

Neil Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress to address health inequalities by changes to the funding formulae for health authorities/primary care trusts.

Yvette Cooper: The Government have made good progress. An interim health inequalities adjustment of #130 million was introduced for 2001–02 allocations. This has been extended to #148 million for 2002–03, to be shared between 54 Health Authorities. The Government are also reviewing the existing weighted capitation formula used to distribute NHS funding. By 2003 reducing inequalities will be a key criterion for allocating NHS resources to different parts of the country.

Ambulance Service

David Heath: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average response time was for the attendance of an emergency ambulance over the last 12 months in each English region.

Hazel Blears: Latest provisional management information indicates that, at the end of February 2002, 28 out of the 32 ambulance trusts in England were achieving the Government's key target of responding to 75 per cent. of immediately life threatening 999 calls within eight minutes.
	All ambulance trusts are expected to achieve the 75 per cent. target during 2002.

Booked Hospital Admissions

Bill Rammell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on progress in achieving booked admissions across the NHS.

John Hutton: The National Booked Admissions Programme began in 1998. Every acute NHS trust is now booking patients in at least two specialties or high volume procedures. By the end of March 2002 more than five million patients will have benefited from the programme.
	A fourth wave of the programme, XMoving to Mainstream", began in September 2001 and will shift booked admissions to mainstream NHS activity.

Nurse Recruitment (London)

Ann Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the latest figures for nurse recruitment in London were in the last 12 months.

John Hutton: As at September 2001, there were 58,000 qualified nurses, midwives and health visitors working within the London Region—an increase of 3,400 compared to September the previous year. In London over 660 qualified nurses midwives and health visitors have returned to the NHS since April 2001. There are currently a further 124 nurses and midwives undertaking special training, who will return to the NHS shortly.

School Free Fruit Scheme

Joyce Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the free fruit scheme in schools.

Yvette Cooper: The National School Fruit Scheme will entitle every four to six year old with a free piece of fruit each school day from 2004. #42 million from the New Opportunities Fund is enabling the rapid expansion of the Scheme across England. This starts in West Midlands next term reaching 250,000 children in over 2,000 schools.

Dentistry

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the access to NHS dental treatment for the residents of north-west Leicestershire; and if he will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: Figures are not collected by constituency but as of 31 January 2002, General Dental Service registration rates for Leicestershire were: adults—45 per cent. (England 43 per cent.); children—63 per cent. (England 60 per cent.).
	NHS dentistry registrations were 463,074—up 3,666 on the previous year. Ninety eight per cent. of the population was within a five mile (urban) or 10 mile (rural) radius of dentists accepting new patients. Everyone was within 15 miles of an NHS dentist.
	The number of GDS dentists in Leicestershire as of 31 December 2001 was 284 compared with 282 the previous year.

Dentistry

Annette Brooke: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance he is giving to support NHS dentistry in Dorset.

Hazel Blears: In 2000–01, Dorset Health Authority (HA) was awarded #110,000 from the Dental Care Development Fund. In 2001–02, the HA allocation for the Modernisation Fund was #458,900. The HA has also been allocated #37,000 from the Dentistry Action Plan Fund.

Dentistry

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what percentage of dentists on health authority lists practise full time in the NHS;
	(2)  what percentage of dentists on the Government Dental Council register (a) practise in the General Dental Service full time in the UK and (b) practise in the General Dental Service full time for the NHS in the UK.
	(3)  what percentage of dentists on the General Dental Council who qualified outside the United Kingdom and who have been on the Health Authority General Dental Service lists within the last 10 years are no longer on the Health Authority lists;
	(4)  what percentage of dentists on the General Dental Council Register who qualified outside the United Kingdom and who are on the Health Authority General Dental Service lists have been on these lists for over five years;
	(5)  what the ratio is of new dentists who have qualified from UK dental schools to dentists who are drawing their NHS pension; and if he will list this ratio for each of the previous 20 years;
	(6)  what percentage of dentists on the General Dental Council Register qualified outside the United Kingdom; and of this number, what percentage are on the Health Authority General Dental Service lists;
	(7)  what the ratio was of male to female new dental graduates from UK dental schools (a) last year and (b) for each of the previous 20 years.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 21 March 2002
	Dentists on health authority lists are self-employed principal dentists. They do not have a standard working week and can vary their working hours.
	The Office of Manpower Economics carried out a survey of principal dentists in Great Britain in March 2000. They reported that 81 per cent. of dentists describe themselves as full-time and 19 per cent. are part-time. Twenty per cent. of all principal dentists are both full-time and also work fully in the NHS. A further 5 per cent. are part-time and work fully in the NHS.
	Dentists who work as assistants and vocational dental practitioners are not covered by this result because Health Authorities are not required to hold lists for them.
	Dentists on health authority lists are self-employed principal dentists. They do not have a standard working week and can vary their working hours.
	In March 2000 the Office of Manpower Economics (OME) carried out a survey into the hours of work and workload of principal dentists taking any part in the General Dental Service (GDS) in Great Britain.
	The survey found that 81 per cent of principals in the GDS considered themselves as carrying out dental work full-time. This would be equivalent to about 16,158 of the 19,948 principals in the GDS in the UK at 31 December 2001. The survey found that one quarter of full-time principals spent 100 per cent. of their time on GDS work. This would be equivalent to 4,040 principals at December 2001.
	Thirty one thousand five hundred and seventy seven dentists were on the General Dental Council (GDC) Register at 1 January 2002. Sixteen thousand one hundred and fifty eight principals estimated to be doing dental work full-time are equivalent to 51 per cent. of the GDC total. The 4,040 principals estimated to be doing dental work full-time and spending 100 per cent. of their time in the GDS are equivalent to 13 per cent. of the GDC total.
	These percentages will exclude dentists working part-time or as assistants or vocational dental practitioners or dentists working in other dental services and dentists not working.
	Forty four per cent. of principal dentists who qualified outside the United Kingdom and have worked in the General Dental Service (GDS) in England within the last 10 years were not on a health authority list at 31 December 2001.
	Dentists who work as assistants and vocational dental practitioners are not covered by this result because health authorities are not required to hold lists for them.
	Ninety one per cent. of principal dentists on a Health Authority list who qualified outside the United Kingdom have worked in the General Dental Service (GDS) in England for more than five years as at 31 December 2001.
	Dentists who work as assistants and vocational dental practitioners are not covered by this result because Health Authorities are not required to hold lists for them.
	The ratio of students obtaining their first registrable dental qualification from UK dental schools to the number of dentists retiring from the General Dental Service for each of the years 1983 to 2000 is shown in the table.
	The retirement information is from Pension Agency records. The date of retirement may be the actual date of retirement or the date a pension was awarded or the last date on the Agency's computer systems. Some retiring dentists may not have held a General Dental Service (GDS) post on retirement e.g. they may have retired from a consultant post.
	
		Ratio of students obtaining their first registerable dental qualification to the number of retirements from the General Dental Service, 1983 to 2000 -- United Kingdom
		
			 Year Number of qualifiers1 Number of retirements Ratio of qualifiers to retirements 
		
		
			 1983 811 103 7.9 
			 1984 887 127 7.0 
			 1985 845 286 3.0 
			 1986 748 332 2.3 
			 1987 729 385 1.9 
			 1988 807 345 2.3 
			 1989 771 376 2.1 
			 1990 759 348 2.2 
			 1991 795 399 2.0 
			 1992 744 433 1.7 
			 1993 783 532 1.5 
			 1994 730 360 2.0 
			 1995 649 366 1.8 
			 1996 650 329 2.0 
			 1997 722 358 2.0 
			 1998 768 327 2.3 
			 1999 782 321 2.4 
			 2000 808 306 2.6 
		
	
	Notes:
	1 The number of qualifiers between 1983 and 1989 were recorded on a slightly different basis to later data.
	Sources:
	Higher Education Funding Council for England and Pensions Agency.
	Fifteen per cent. or 4,643 of the 31,577 dentists registered with the General Dental Council (GDC) at 1 January 2002 qualified from dental schools outside the United Kingdom.
	At 31 December 2001 2,094 dentists who had qualified outside the UK were on health authority lists in the General Dental Service (GDS) in England. This represents 45 per cent. of the 4,643 dentists who had qualified outside the UK who were registered with the GDC as of 1 January 2002. Health authority lists cover principal dentists only and exclude assistant dentists and vocational dental practitioners working in the GDS.
	Information on the number of dentists who had qualified outside the UK and are practising in the GDS in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland can be obtained from the relevant devolved administrations.
	The number of male and female students who have obtained their first registrable dental qualification from UK dental schools is shown in the table for each of the academic years 1989–90 to 2000–01. Also shown is the ratio of male to female graduates.
	The information is not available for the years before 1989–90.
	
		Number and ratio of male and female dental qualifiers, 1989–90 to 2000–01 -- United Kingdom
		
			  Number of dental qualifiers Ratio of male to female 
			 Academic year Male Female dental qualifiers 
		
		
			 1989–90 429 330 1.3 
			 1990–91 440 355 1.2 
			 1991–92 437 307 1.4 
			 1992–93 437 346 1.3 
			 1993–94 396 334 1.2 
			 1994–95 328 321 1.0 
			 1995–96 348 302 1.2 
			 1996–97 356 366 1.0 
			 1997–98 385 383 1.0 
			 1998–99 394 388 1.0 
			 1999–2000 364 444 0.8 
			 2000–01 384 431 0.9 
		
	
	Source: Higher Education Funding Council for England

Dentistry

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what percentage of dentists registered on the General Dental Council are (a) resident in the UK and (b) registered at an address in the UK.

Hazel Blears: holding 21 March 2002
	No information is available on the place of residence of dentists registered with the General Dental Council (GDC).
	The country of the registered address of dentists on the GDC register at 1 January 2002 is shown in the table.
	
		Dentists registered with the General Dental Council -- as of 1 January 2002: Country of registered address
		
			 Country Number of dentists Percentage of registered dentists 
		
		
			 England1 24,523 78 
			 Scotland 2,761 9 
			 Wales 1,301 4 
			 Northern Ireland 1,058 3 
			 UK total 29,643 94 
			   
			 Overseas 1,934 6 
			   
			 Total 31,577 100 
		
	
	1 England figures include dentists registered at addresses in the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands

European Traditional Medicines Directive

David Tredinnick: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what categories of products that are currently on sale in the UK will be left outside of the scope of the proposed European directive on traditional medicines; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: There are many categories of products currently on sale in the UK which the European Commission's proposals for a Directive on Traditional Herbal Medicinal Products are not intended to cover. However, specifically in relation to products which are currently sold legally as unlicensed herbal remedies under Section 12(2) of the Medicines Act, 1968, there are a number of reasons why a proportion of existing products might not satisfy the terms of the proposed Directive. The most likely reasons might be: failure to meet safety or quality standards, or failure to demonstrate that the remedy or corresponding products (that is, comparable herbal medicines) had traditional use. In many such cases in should be possible for companies to make changes—for example improving quality standards or making adjustments to the ingredients or strength of specific products—in order to comply with the terms of the Directive.
	Subject to a successful outcome to European negotiations, the introduction of a systematic regulatory framework for traditional herbal medicines should result in improved public health protection, enhanced public confidence in herbal medicine and the continuing availability of a very wide range of remedies.

Perinatal Morality

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures he is taking to reduce perinatal mortality.

Yvette Cooper: We are continuing to support the work of the Confidential Enquiry into Stillbirths and Deaths in Infancy, to improve understanding of how these deaths can be reduced. The tragedy of perinatal mortality has links with poverty, deprivation and exclusion. We are addressing these underlying causes through the XSure Start" initiative, including pilot programmes to provide personal co-ordinated support for pregnant teenagers, and parents under the age of 18. We are also investing more in the provision of maternity and neonatal intensive care and seeking to ensure the most effective configuration of these essential services.

NHS Pensions

James Purnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he plans to equalise the calculations for NHS widows' and widowers' pension provision by including women doctors' pension contributions prior to 1988.

John Hutton: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to the former Member for North Norfolk (Mr. Prior) on 13 January 1999, Official Report, column 212.

Rehabilitation Services

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Government are doing to improve rehabilitation services for people of working age.

Jacqui Smith: We are working with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Health and Safety Executive on job retention and rehabilitation pilots to test different health and employment strategies to help people with long term sickness or disability to remain in their jobs.
	We have commissioned guidance for health and social services on promoting employment opportunities for people with mental health problems to meet the requirement of Standard One of the National Service Framework (NSF) for Mental Health.
	The NSF on Long Term Conditions will have a particular focus on the needs of people with neurological disease, brain and spinal injury, as well as some of the common issues faced by people with a long-term condition such as rehabilitation.

Primary Care

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the impact of the transfer of responsibilities from health authorities to PCTs on community initiatives and preventive care.

John Hutton: As part of the transfer of responsibilities from health authorities to primary care trusts all local communities are required to ensure that community initiatives and preventive care are incorporated into Health Improvement Plans and local strategic development plans.

Hospital Consultants

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of hospital consultants are contracted (a) full-time and (b) part-time to the NHS.

John Hutton: The table shows the number of hospital medical consultants by contract in England as at 30 September 2001. The table gives a break down of contract holders on national terms and conditions of service by (a) whole time, (b) maximum part time and (c) part time. The number of honorary contract holders is also provided.
	jenny
	
		Hospital medical consultants by nature of contract -- England at 30 September 2001Numbers
		
			  All contracts Whole time Maximum Part-time Part-time Honorary 
		
		
			 Consultant 24,400 13,810 5,520 3,530 1,550 
			   (56.6%) (22.6%) (14.5%) (6.3%) 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health 2001 medical and dental workforce census
	Notes:
	Figures are rounded to nearest 10. Due to rounding figures may not equal the sum of component parts. Percentages were calculated using unrounded figures.

Hearing Services (High Street Opticians)

Caroline Flint: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received regarding the delivery of digital hearing aids and other hearing services via high street opticians.

Jacqui Smith: My hon. Friend raised this issue in the House on 7 November 2001, Official Report column 131WH and on several occasions since. My hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham and Morden (Siobhain McDonagh) has also raised this issue and I will be meeting her in April.

Digital Hearing Aids

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will allow Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport to be one of the next group of sites to provide digital hearing aids.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 March 2002
	We have received expressions of interest from several Health communities not yet involved in the modernising hearing aid services project. Decisions will be made shortly, based on a number of criteria including geographical distribution, preparedness, and the support of the whole local health community.

Communications Aids

Damian Green: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the use to which the funding announced on 27 March 2001 to provide communications aids to children with hearing difficulties has been put;
	(2)  what guidance has been given to (a) health authorities, (b) primary care groups and (c) social services departments about the provision of communication aids for those who are hard of hearing; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  if he will publish the guidelines given on 27 March 2001 about the provision of communication aids to those with hearing difficulties.

Jacqui Smith: The XGuide to Integrating Community Equipment Service", published on 27 March 2001, set out the vision for the scope of services that users should expect to receive, and indicated the steps that organisations will need to take to achieve the vision.
	Our intention, as stated in a circular to local authorities and health authorities in March 2001, is that the services should look to use some of the additional funding for community equipment services on communication aids for people with impaired speech. No specific guidance on communication aids for children or adults with hearing difficulties has been issued. It is for local services to determine the equipment they will provide.

Overseas Treatment

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if it is his policy to include Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust in the pilot scheme to allow NHS patients to be treated abroad.

John Hutton: Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust does not fall within any of the three Health Authority areas involved in the overseas pilot. However, if the Trust needs to have patients treated overseas the pilot sites would be willing and able to assist, using their existing contracts with French and German providers.

Delayed Hospital Discharges

Richard Younger-Ross: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress he is making in tackling the problem of delayed discharge in the national health service.

Jacqui Smith: The latest published figures for December 2001 of people aged over 75 whose discharge was delayed was 5,117. This represents around a 12 per cent. reduction compared to the same period in 2000.

Unlicensed Medicines

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what estimate he has made of the number of websites based in the UK that are offering for sale (a) licensed, (b) unlicensed and (c) both licensed and unlicensed medicines; if he will list those sites his Department has identified; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: An accurate figure for the number of websites based in the United Kingdom offering medicines for sale is not known because websites are opened and closed often with very short timespans, which makes quantification extremely difficult. Furthermore sites are often routed through many Internet Service Providers to disguise their origins. Therefore it would be disproportionate to investigate the origin of all sites.
	The Medicines Control Agency takes appropriate action against any website of which it is aware that is operating within the UK in breach of UK law and regulations.

Ministerial Private Offices

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the running costs were of (a) his Ministers' private offices, separately identifying expenditure on staff and (b) his Department in each year from May 1997 to the nearest date for which the information is available.

Hazel Blears: Information is available for the financial years 1997–98 to 2000–01. The running costs for Ministers' private offices and the Department for each of these years is shown in the table.
	
		(a) Ministers' Private Offices -- # thousands
		
			  Total Staff Non staff 
		
		
			 1997–98 1,849 1,385 464 
			 1998–99 2,144 1,564 580 
			 1999–2000 2,653 1,983 670 
			 2000–01 2,947 2,323 624 
		
	
	
		(b) Departmental administration expenditure (including agencies)
		
			  # million 
		
		
			 1997–98 249 
			 1998–99 257 
			 1999–2000 273 
			 2000–01 300

Health Service Organisations (Costs)

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the annual costs of (a) the Commission for Health Improvement, (b) the National Care Standards Commission, (c) the National Clinical Assessment Authority, (d) the National Patient Safety Agency and (e) the National Institute for Clinical Excellence will be for 2002–03, and the following three years.

Hazel Blears: The central Departmental revenue funding which has been reserved for 2002–03 is set out in the following table:
	
		
			 Organisation Funding for 2002–03 in # millions 
		
		
			 Commission for Health Improvement 34.0 
			 National Care Standards Commission 88.1 
			 National Clinical Assessment Authority 13.3 
			 National Patient Safety Agency 15.0 
			 National Institute for Clinical Excellence 14.8 
		
	
	Decisions on the level of funding for 2003–04 to 2005–06 will be made in the light of the work on the 2002 Spending Review.

ME

Bob Blizzard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will (a) collate, (b) evaluate and (c) disseminate best practice found in NHS trusts offering services for ME sufferers.

Jacqui Smith: The Chief Medical Officer commissioned a report from the CFS/ME independent working group, which was published on the 11 January. Copies of the report and its annexes are available at the following website: www.doh.gov.uk/cmo/publications.htm. The report recommended the development of service networks to increase knowledge and understanding of the condition, and this is something we would support.
	Although there are currently no specific plans to collate, evaluate and disseminate best practice in NHS trusts offering services for ME sufferers, we are committed to take other action which will help spread best practice. A referral to the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) to provide guidance on management and treatment is something we will consider.
	We are also ensuring that the External Reference Groups who will be developing the two National Service Frameworks (NSF) for both children's services and adults with long term conditions, consider this report and its recommendations for improving treatment and care.

Social Workers

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what plans he has to raise the status of social workers; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: We have established the General Social Care Council (GSCC) to raise the standard of social care and increase the protection of the public. The GSCC will do this by promoting high standards in the training of social workers and other social care staff, publishing codes of practice, setting out the standard of conduct expected of social care workers and by registering the workforce, starting with qualified social workers in 2003. In order to maintain registration with the GSCC individuals will be expected to keep their practice and training up to date. We have also announced a change to the social work qualification from a two-year diploma in social work to a three-year degree level qualification.
	The term Social Worker is often used by people working in social care who do not hold a social work qualification. When sufficient numbers of qualified social workers have been registered by the GSCC we shall take steps to protect the use of the title social worker to those who have a social work qualification and who are registered as such with the GSCC. It will be an offence under the Care Standards Act 2000 for anyone to misrepresent his/her self with the intention of deceiving.
	Last year we started a three year recruitment and retention campaign. One of the objectives of the campaign is to raise awareness of social work and to improve the image of social workers.

Care Homes

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many care home beds there were, broken down by local authority in England in each year since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: Information on the total number of residential care places by Local Authority for the years 1997 to 2001 is shown in Table 1. Information on nursing care beds by Health Authority is shown in Table 2.

Care Homes

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many care homes have closed in (a) Shropshire and (b) the West Midlands since 1997.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 21 March 2002
	The information on the number of residential and nursing care homes in Shropshire and West Midlands is shown in the table at 31 March each year. A copy has been placed in the Library.

Care Homes

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the extent to which people are inappropriately placed in (a) residential care homes and (b) nursing homes; and what steps he is taking to ensure appropriate placements.

Jacqui Smith: The Audit Commission's report XThe coming of age", published in 1997 and subsequent work by the Department of Health, confirmed that better assessment and the development of preventative and rehabilitative services, could lead to more appropriate and effective permanent placements of state-funded individuals in residential care and nursing homes.
	Since then through the NHS Plan and the National Service Framework for Older People, the Department has introduced a single assessment process to ensure that individual's needs are assessed in the round, and funded the development of a range of preventive and intermediate care services. These developments will help to ensure that older people and other adults, wherever possible, are only admitted to residential accommodation when necessary.

Strategic Health Authorities

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what ceiling he has put on start up costs for the new strategic health authorities; and whether this is in ratio to the size of the population served.

John Hutton: New Strategic Health Authorities will have a cap on their staffing numbers of 75 staff and #4 million running costs but the exact amount per authority will be determined by their franchise plan. The functions of the strategic health authorities are substantially the same across all 28 irrespective of size of the population they serve.

Strategic Health Authorities

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what his estimate is of the costs of establishing the North Yorkshire and Humberside Strategic Health Authority (a) in new purpose-built health premises on the York Science Park and (b) by converting the existing NHS property at Willeby.

Jacqui Smith: The only cost incurred in provisionally locating and establishing the Strategic Health Authority (StHA) HQ for North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire is for the rent of two offices in the York Science Park for February and March 2002. This will be approximately #3,500. This is the Project Office for the Strategic Health Authority pending a discussion about its permanent location.
	On 20 March 2002, the StHA shadow Board discussed the option appraisal and work in progress to produce an outline business case. It was unanimously agreed that appropriate criteria had been used to inform the option appraisal on the location of the StHA and that the decision made by the Chairman and Chief Executive (Designate) to accept the recommendation of the York Science Park was supported. Formal consideration of the outline business case will be part of the first StHA Board Meeting on 18 April 2002.
	All the existing NHS accommodation, including the accommodation currently occupied by the East Riding and Hull Health Authority at Willerby, is proposed for future use in each locality and will largely accommodate primary care trust staff including shared services to support these organisations. For this reason, no estimate was made of the cost of establishing the North and East Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire StHA HQ at Willberby.

Folic Acid

Andrew Murrison: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what plans he has to introduce folic acid supplements into flour;
	(2)  what assessment he has made of the costs and benefits of the introduction of folic acid into flour.

Yvette Cooper: A consultation document on whether or not to fortify wheat flour with folic acid was issued in July 2000 jointly by the Department and the Food Standards Agency (FSA). This was based on the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition Policy (2000) conclusion that fortification of wheat flour with folic acid would help reduce the number of births affected by neural tube defects. The consultation responses have been analysed and a summary is posted on the DH website.
	Following the consultation, the Department and FSA undertook or commissioned further work to address concerns raised. This work included a preliminary cost-benefit analyses. However, there are considerable uncertainties on key costs and effectiveness variables. The analyses took account of the increased risk of neuropathy in the elderly as well as the benefits of reduced risks of birth defects.
	The policy options will need to be considered by the FSA Board as well as Health Ministers. The UK Health Departments and the FSA held a stakeholders meeting on 18 March 2002 to discuss the issue and inform policy decisions.

Breast Cancer

Patsy Calton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision is being made to ensure that there are sufficient specialist breast cancer consultants, surgeons and nurses in the North West in the next 10 years.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 11 March 2002
	The NHS Plan set out our commitment to increasing the workforce and the NHS Cancer Plan confirmed our commitment to investment in the cancer workforce. Cancer networks (including those in the North West) nationally have recently been completing a number of toolkits which have looked at both clinician and nursing posts. Cancer networks are expected to audit their workforce requirements as part of the national standards for cancer. This is monitored through the peer review appraisal process. This information will continue to be used so that appropriate workforce development programmes are in place, which will help ensure that sufficient numbers of breast cancer consultants, surgeons and nurses are in place for future years.

Indium III Octreotide Imaging

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS hospital trusts are able to offer Indium III Octreotide imaging tests.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 11 March 2002
	The approved name for the radiopharmaceutical Indium III Octreotide is Indium III Pentetreotide. A list of the National Health Service hospital trusts where clinicians hold certificates to administer this product for imaging tests is shown in the list.
	PQ 6103 NHS Trusts in England where clinicians hold certificates for Indium III Pentetreotide
	Addenbrooke's
	Aintree Hospitals
	Airedale
	Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals
	Barking, Havering and Redbridge Hospitals
	Bart's and the London
	Basildon and Thurrock General Hospitals
	Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley Health Care
	Blackpool Victoria Hospital
	Bolton Hospitals
	Bradford Hospitals
	Brighton Health Care
	Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals
	Chelsea and Westminster Healthcare
	Chesterfield and North Derbyshire Royal Hospital
	Christie Hospital
	City Hospital Birmingham
	City Hospitals Sunderland
	Countess of Chester Hospital
	Dartford and Gravesham
	East Kent Hospitals
	East Somerset
	Eastbourne Hospitals
	Epsom and St. Helier
	Essex Rivers Healthcare
	Frimley Park Hospital
	Gateshead Health
	Gloucestershire Royal
	Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children
	Guy's and St. Thomas's Hospital
	Hammersmith Hospitals
	Harrogate Health Care
	Hastings and Rother
	Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals
	Kettering General Hospital
	King's College Hospital
	Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells
	Mid Sussex Primary Care
	Morecambe Bay Hospitals
	Norfolk and Norwich Healthcare
	North Bristol
	North Cumbria Acute
	North Cumbria Acute Hospitals
	North Manchester Healthcare
	North Middlesex University Hospital
	North Tees and Hartlepool
	Northampton General Hospital
	Nottingham City Hospital
	Oxford Radcliffe Hospitals
	Peterborough Hospitals
	Plymouth Hospitals
	Poole Hospitals
	Portsmouth Hospitals
	Preston Acute Hospitals
	Queen Elizabeth Hospital
	Rotherham General Hospitals
	Royal Berkshire and Battle Hospitals
	Royal Brompton and Harefield
	Royal Cornwall Hospitals
	Royal Devon and Exeter Healthcare
	Royal Free Hampstead
	Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals
	Royal Liverpool Children's
	Royal Surrey County Hospital
	Royal United Hospital Bath
	Salford Royal Hospitals
	Scarborough and North East Yorkshire Health Care
	Sheffield Teaching Hospitals
	Sherwood Forest Hospitals
	South Devon Healthcare
	South Manchester University Hospitals
	South West London Community
	Southampton University Hospitals
	Southend Healthcare
	Southern Derbyshire Acute Hospitals
	St. George's Healthcare
	St. Mary's
	Stockport
	Surrey and Sussex Healthcare
	Swindon and Marlborough
	Tameside and Glossop Acute Services
	Taunton and Somerset
	The Dudley Group of Hospitals
	The Ipswich Hospital
	The Leeds Teaching Hospitals
	The Lewisham Hospital
	The Medway
	The Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals
	The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals
	The Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals
	The Royal Marsden Hospital
	The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals
	United Bristol Healthcare
	University College London Hospitals
	University Hospital Birmingham
	University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire
	University Hospitals of Leicester
	West Hertfordshire Hospitals
	West London Hospitals
	West Suffolk Hospitals
	Whittington Hospital
	Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh Health Services
	York Health Services

Diabetes

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether the national standards framework for diabetes delivery strategy will include a commitment to a systematic approach to targeted screening of at risk groups for Type II diabetes;
	(2)  what recent research his Department has commissioned into the numbers of children diagnosed with type II diabetes resulting from obesity;
	(3)  what assessment he has made of the long-term potential financial savings to the NHS to be made from screening for Type II diabetes.

Jacqui Smith: Diabetes is becoming more common, even among children, as the population becomes more overweight and sedentary. We are taking forward a wide range of work across Government to tackle obesity, to increase physical activity and improve diet, especially among children. Prevention of diabetes is one of the key areas covered by the Diabetes National Service Framework standards, published last December.
	We have asked the UK National Screening Committee to assess the benefits and drawbacks of screening for Type II diabetes. The Committee will make recommendations in 2005.

Mental Health

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the budget of the Mental Health Review Tribunal is; and what plans he has to increase research for the Mental Health Review Tribunal;
	(2)  when he last met the Chairman of the Mental Health Review Tribunal; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: Expenditure on the mental health review tribunal in 2000–01 is likely to be just under #12 million, the cost of running the administrative function is just under #2 million. Figures for actual expenditure will not be available until after the end of the financial year.
	The Department currently has no plans to commission new research for the mental health review tribunal but does, as part of its normal activity, collect and analyse data to support both the judicial and administrative functions of the tribunal.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has not had occasion to meet any of the four regional chairmen for the tribunal in England.

Nursing Staff

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 4 March 2002, Official Report, column 141W, on nursing staff, what his targets are for filling modern matron posts; and what additional funding has been made available to help fill these posts.

John Hutton: holding answer 12 March 2002
	When launching guidance to the NHS in April 2001, we announced that there would be around 2,000 matrons throughout the NHS by 2004, and 500 in post by April 2002. Posts are funded from general allocations to Health Authorities.

GP Surgeries

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (i) GP surgeries and (ii) single handed GP surgeries there have been in each of the last five years for which figures are available, broken down by (a) region and (b) health authority.

John Hutton: holding answer 12 March 2002
	The information requested is shown in the table. The table identifies all General Practitioner partnerships (but not individual GP surgeries) including those Xpartnerships of one", by region and health authority. Some GPs who practice without being in partnership with another doctor may have a salaried Assistant or may work in a group practice.
	
		Partnerships and single-handed partnerships of unrestricted principals and equivalents (UPEs)1 in England by 2001 Health Authorities, 1997–2001
		
			1997 1998 1999 2000 2001  
			 Region name HA name HA code All partnerships of which single-handed All partnerships of which single-handed All partnerships of which single-handed All partnerships of which single-handed All partnerships of which single-handed 
		
		
			 Northern & Bradford HA QDD 96 32 98 35 100 38 98 37 98 34 
			 Yorkshire Calderdale & Kirklees HA QDT 113 46 111 41 112 39 110 39 111 38 
			  County Durham Health Commission QDE 86 20 88 26 87 23 85 22 86 22 
			  East Riding HA QDF 102 33 100 32 98 33 97 34 97 32 
			  Gateshead & South Tyneside HA QDG 62 20 62 19 59 18 60 16 62 17 
			  Leeds Healthcare QDH 125 28 124 27 126 29 125 26 125 29 
			  Newcastle & North Tyneside HA QDJ 75 11 74 10 73 9 70 7 69 6 
			  North Cumbria HA QDK 56 12 56 11 55 9 55 10 55 11 
			  North Yorkshire HA QDR 112 14 111 12 109 10 108 10 110 13 
			  Northumberland HA QDM 51 9 53 9 53 10 53 11 52 10 
			  Sunderland HA QDN 52 15 54 18 54 17 55 18 54 15 
			  Tees HA QDP 84 19 88 24 84 18 81 15 81 12 
			  Wakefield Health Care QDQ 45 8 45 7 44 8 44 8 44 7 
			 Trent Barnsley HA QCG 43 15 41 12 41 14 43 16 43 16 
			  Doncaster HA QCK 53 20 52 19 53 21 52 21 51 18 
			  Leicestershire HA QCL 156 48 157 50 153 49 149 46 150 45 
			  Lincolnshire HA QCM 105 20 104 21 108 23 106 23 106 23 
			  North Derbyshire HA QCH 62 16 61 12 60 10 59 11 59 8 
			  North Nottinghamshire HA QCN 60 17 63 19 63 19 62 17 63 18 
			  Nottingham HA QCP 116 32 117 33 119 35 119 32 118 30 
			  Rotherham HA QCQ 41 17 41 17 41 18 40 15 40 15 
			  Sheffield HA QCR 107 24 99 14 98 13 97 13 95 10 
			  South Humber HA QDL 64 28 62 26 61 26 58 25 58 25 
			  Southern Derbyshire HA QCJ 86 16 84 13 80 13 81 10 80 12 
			 Eastern Bedfordshire HA QA6 93 25 94 26 92 23 93 24 92 24 
			  Cambridgeshire HA QER 106 10 105 9 103 10 109 15 110 18 
			  Hertfordshire QEX 143 27 144 31 139 24 140 28 138 29 
			  Norfolk HA QET 109 18 109 18 110 14 106 10 106 10 
			  North Essex HA QAX 137 27 138 27 138 28 140 31 134 25 
			  South Essex HA QAY 146 68 147 69 147 72 148 74 144 70 
			  Suffolk HA QCF 92 13 93 13 92 12 92 13 93 16 
			 London Barking & Havering HA QAP 99 57 96 51 97 53 97 50 98 54 
			  Barnet, Enfield & Haringey HA QEW 203 86 206 91 206 94 207 95 209 93 
			  Bexley, Bromley & Greenwich HA QEY 144 58 145 59 146 62 143 55 143 58 
			  Brent & Harrow HA QAR 124 54 122 53 120 51 117 49 119 46 
			  Camden & Islington HA QAT 102 49 106 56 98 46 98 46 97 44 
			  Croydon HA QAD 69 24 70 23 70 25 68 24 67 27 
			  Ealing, Hammersmith & Hounslow HA QAV 196 94 188 84 190 86 189 90 188 89 
			  East London & The City HA QAW 165 75 166 77 164 72 165 74 161 75 
			  Hillingdon HA QA2 55 21 55 23 52 18 53 22 53 19 
			  Kensington, Chelsea & Westminster HA QA3 106 59 104 57 102 54 99 48 99 46 
			  Kingston & Richmond HA QAG 62 18 61 18 61 18 62 18 60 15 
			  Lambeth, Southwark & Lewisham HA QAH 162 62 166 62 162 60 159 57 161 56 
			  Merton, Sutton & Wandsworth HA QAJ 132 46 128 42 124 39 118 35 115 32 
			  Redbridge & Waltham Forest HA QA5 120 63 123 58 119 57 116 54 121 63 
			 South Berkshire HA QA7 116 27 117 29 121 31 118 30 118 28 
			 Eastern Buckinghamshire HA QA8 92 9 95 13 95 11 95 9 92 5 
			  East Kent HA QAE 110 47 109 43 106 37 102 31 101 30 
			  East Surrey HA QAK 62 10 61 11 60 11 61 12 57 11 
			  East Sussex, Brighton & Hove HA QAM 137 44 136 39 135 39 132 34 131 34 
			  Isle of Wight, Portsmouth & South East Hampshire HA QEV 99 13 96 10 97 11 96 10 94 8 
			  North & Mid Hampshire HA QD1 69 9 67 6 66 6 65 5 66 7 
			  Northamptonshire HA QCC 82 10 83 12 79 12 76 10 76 8 
			  Oxfordshire HA QCE 87 10 87 10 88 8 87 8 86 6 
			  Southampton & South West Hampshire HA QD3 79 13 78 12 78 11 79 11 78 10 
			  West Kent HA QAF 213 93 215 96 208 89 204 82 204 85 
			  West Surrey HA QAL 86 16 86 16 84 14 85 15 84 14 
			  West Sussex HA QAN 98 10 96 8 100 11 97 10 95 10 
			 South Avon HA QD8 147 19 147 22 147 19 146 22 145 19 
			 Western Cornwall & Isles of Scilly HA QDV 77 5 76 5 76 4 75 3 74 2 
			  Dorset HA QDW 108 17 108 15 110 16 110 16 109 15 
			  Gloucestershire HA QDY 84 4 84 4 85 4 85 4 85 4 
			  North & East Devon HA QDX 76 7 76 7 76 8 77 9 76 9 
			  Somerset HA QD5 75 10 76 12 77 11 77 11 76 7 
			  South & West Devon HA QD6 102 16 102 16 102 17 102 16 102 16 
			  Wiltshire HA QD7 92 22 91 17 94 19 94 18 94 19 
			 West Birmingham HA QD9 247 107 245 109 242 100 239 97 239 100 
			 Midlands Coventry HA QEA 65 21 66 22 67 22 66 21 64 19 
			  Dudley HA QEC 63 24 61 22 60 23 59 21 59 21 
			  Herefordshire HA QED 26 2 27 2 26 2 26 2 25 1 
			  North Staffordshire HA QEH 101 44 102 43 103 45 102 46 99 44 
			  Sandwell HA QEE 70 28 69 28 68 27 67 27 69 32 
			  Shropshire HA QEF 65 7 65 6 67 7 67 9 67 10 
			  Solihull HA QEG 32 6 32 7 34 9 32 5 31 3 
			  South Staffordshire HA QEJ 97 38 99 40 102 43 101 42 105 50 
			  Walsall HA QEK 72 39 70 38 69 38 68 36 67 38 
			  Warwickshire HA QEL 81 18 79 16 75 12 76 12 75 11 
			  Wolverhampton HA QEM 64 31 65 36 67 40 70 40 69 40 
			  Worcestershire HA QEN 67 4 68 4 68 4 68 4 68 4 
			 North West Bury & Rochdale HA QCT 79 29 78 25 79 26 80 28 75 22 
			  East Lancashire HA QCX 112 43 111 41 115 46 110 43 109 41 
			  Liverpool HA QC2 106 42 106 45 105 45 108 49 105 46 
			  Manchester Health QC3 109 36 109 40 110 38 107 34 110 37 
			  Morecambe Bay HA QC4 59 17 59 16 59 15 59 16 59 18 
			  North Cheshire HA QCV 46 14 47 14 49 16 48 13 49 14 
			  North West Lancashire HA QCY 91 34 91 33 89 32 89 31 86 28 
			  Salford & Trafford HA QC6 113 51 114 47 114 50 115 54 109 49 
			  Sefton HA QC7 53 17 53 16 53 17 53 16 52 18 
			  South Cheshire HA QCW 93 9 93 6 95 9 94 9 94 9 
			  South Lancashire HA QC1 65 22 69 27 67 25 66 25 66 24 
			  St. Helen's & Knowsley HA QC5 76 26 76 25 76 24 77 28 77 30 
			  Stockport Health QC8 60 20 60 17 60 15 59 14 59 17 
			  West Pennine HA QC9 91 35 92 33 91 28 93 32 91 31 
			  Wigan & Bolton HA QDA 128 59 128 57 123 53 125 51 118 45 
			  Wirral HA QDC 64 11 63 11 64 11 65 10 63 10 
			  England Total  9,003 2,719 8,994 2,683 8,944 2,631 8,878 2,575 8,817 2,534 
		
	
	1 UPEs include GMS unrestricted principals, PMS contracted GPs and PMS salaried GPs. Data as at 1 October 1997 to 1999 and 30 September 2000 and 2001.
	Source:
	General and Personal Medical Services Statistics

Appeals Panels

Julia Drown: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to ensure that NHS trusts establish appeals panels promptly.

John Hutton: holding answer 12 March 2002
	The Department is currently discussing new doctors' disciplinary procedures with the British Medical Association. This will include the handling of local appeals by NHS employers.
	The aim is to develop a national system that will provide for fair, quicker and more effective local procedures.

Blood Donation

Dai Havard: To ask the Secretary of State for Health who, on behalf of his Department, is conducting the assessment into the possible exclusion of transfusion recipients giving blood; and how many years in retrospect the assessment will cover.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 12 March 2002
	The Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Blood and Tissues has asked the Department's Economics and Operational Research Division to assess the impact of excluding transfusion recipients from donating blood on possible secondary infections of variant CJD, assuming blood to be infective. This risk assessment is still in progress and consequently no decision has been taken into the possible exclusion of transfusion recipients giving blood.

Health Expenditure

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to the answer given to the hon. Member for Oxford, West and Abingdon (Dr. Harris) of 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 391W, on health expenditure, if he will list the expenditure on health by weighted head of population in real terms for each health authority area, to include expenditure accounted for by (a) the Dental Practice Board and (b) the Prescription Pricing Authority.

John Hutton: holding answer 12 March 2002
	Expenditure per weighted head of population is not a reliable indicator to compare different health authorities. Allocations per weighted head are a much more reliable indicator.
	Expenditure by the Dental Practice Board and the Prescription Pricing Authority is not attributed to individual health authorities in their annual accounts.

Public Appointments

Fiona Mactaggart: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many appointments to public bodies have been made through his Department (a) from April 2000 to March 2001 and (b) since 31 March 2001; and how many of these were (i) men and (ii) women.

John Hutton: holding answer 12 March 2002
	The number of men and women appointed, or re-appointed, to bodies sponsored by this Department during the period in question is as follows.
	
		
			 Period Men appointed Women appointed 
		
		
			 1 April 2000–31 March 2001 1,125 942 
			 1 April 2001–28 February 2002 836 693 
		
	
	As well as appointments made by Ministers, the figures include appointments made by the National Health Service Appointments Commission to NHS trusts, health authorities and primary care trusts since the Commission's estalishment in April 2001.

Parliamentary Questions

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many answers to parliamentary questions, are more than (a) two weeks and (b) three months outstanding; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the right hon. Member for Bromley and Chislehurst (Mr. Forth) on 13 March 2002, Official Report, column 1147W.
	As at the end of business on 25 March there were 22 parliamentary questions outstanding that were due for answer on or before 28 February.

Correspondence

Joyce Quin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will reply to the letter from the right hon. Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West dated 19 November 2001 relating to Dr. Sheikh, a constituent.

John Hutton: A reply was sent on 15 March.

Correspondence

Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to reply to the letter dated 4 December 2001 addressed to the Minister for Local Government and transferred to his Department on 10 January about the availability of benefits to the disabled within unitary authorities.

Jacqui Smith: A reply was sent on 12 March.

Correspondence

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reason the letter of 26 September 2001 to him from the hon. Member for Fareham was answered on 15 March.

Jacqui Smith: I apologise for the delay in replying to your letter of 26 September. This was caused by the letter being mislaid within the Department.

Home Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 12 March 2002, Official Report, column 1022W, on home care, how many households, in each of the last five years for which figures are available received (a) up to five contact hours, (b) five to 10 contact hours and (c) more than 10 contact hours of intensive home care during a survey week (i) per thousand head of population aged 65 or over and (ii) per total number of people aged 65 or over.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 21 March 2002
	The available information is shown in the following table.
	
		Households receiving home help/home care by contact hours Rates per 1,000 households and 1,000 population aged 65 or over
		
			  Percentage of households receiving  
		
		
			 Up to 5 hours 69 65 62 59 58 
			 5 to 10 hours 30 20 21 25 23 
			 More than 10 hours — 15 17 19 19 
			 Number of households receiving intensive home care1 — 61,200 67,000 72,100 76,400 
			 Rate per 1,000 households 65+ — 12 13 14 15 
			 Rate per 1,000 population 65+ (C28) — 7.8 8.8 9.2 — 
		
	
	1 From 1998 intensive home care/home help is defined as six or more visits with more than 10 contact hours, prior to this the criterion was six or more visits with five or more contact hours
	— Not available
	Source:
	DH HH1 Return

Hospital Patients

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 13 March 2002, Official Report, column 1141W, on people remaining in hospital, what estimate he has made of the cost of, and what assessment he has made for the case for, social services departments being charged by the NHS for people who remain in hospital, after being medically discharged; and if he will make a statement.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 21 March 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the response I gave him on Wednesday 13 March 2002, Official Report, column 1141W.

Primary Health Care Trusts (Wirral)

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list the membership of the two primary health care trusts for the Wirral.

John Hutton: holding answer 21 March 2002
	The non-executive members of the Primary Care Trusts are as follows:
	Bebington and West Wirral PCT
	Mr. Charles Pursglove (Chair)
	Mr. James Burns
	Mrs. Marion Cureton
	Dr. William Foggin
	Mrs. Ruth Shaw
	Mrs. Alexandra Wall
	Wallasey and Birkenhead PCT
	Mrs. Muriel Downs MBE
	Mr. Raymond Allen
	Lord Michael Chan
	Mr. Frederick Corkhill
	Mrs. Rosaleen Dixon
	Mr. Peter Russell.

Hospital Readmissions

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many readmissions within 30 days there were to hospitals in Shropshire in (a) 1999, (b) 2000 and (c) 2001.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 21 March 2002
	The Department of Health publishes statistics on emergency re-admission to hospital within 28 days of the last, previous discharge from hospital.
	The figures in the table are from The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital. This is the only hospital within the Shropshire Health Authority that has data that meets this statistic.
	
		
			  Number of discharges Number of re-admissions Percentage of re-admissions, indirectly age and sex standardised 
		
		
			 2000–01 42,786 2,821 6.53 
			 1999–2000 41,212 2,495 6.00 
			 1998–99 40,293 2,360 5.85

Care Home Beds

Owen Paterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many care home beds were available in (a) 1997, (b) 1998, (c) 1999, (d) 2000 and (e) 2001 in Shropshire.

Jacqui Smith: holding answer 21 March 2002
	The information on the number of residential and nursing care beds in Shropshire is shown in the table at 31 March each year.
	
		Residential and nursing care beds in Shropshire1, 1997 to 2001 -- At 31 MarchRounded numbers
		
			  Total number of registered care beds Residential care beds Nursing care beds2 
		
		
			 19973 5,000 3,090 1,920 
			 1998 5,950 4,030 1,920 
			 1999 5,430 3,470 1,970 
			 2000 5,320 3,390 1,930 
			 2001 5,310 3,430 1,880 
		
	
	1 Information on residential care for 1999 onwards is presented for Shropshire County Council and Telford and Wrekin Unitary Authority.
	2 Includes beds in private hospitals and clinics.
	3 Nursing beds relate to the period 1 October 1996 to 31 March 1997.
	Source:
	Department of Health's annual returns.

NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency will publish its annual business plan.

Hazel Blears: We are pleased to announce that the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency's annual business plan has been published and copies have been placed in the Library.

Medical Devices Agency

Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will publish the key targets for 2002–03 for the Medical Devices Agency.

Hazel Blears: We have agreed the Agency's key targets for 2002–03 and copies have been placed in the Library.

Nursing and Midwifery and Health Professions Councils

Alan Keen: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if appointments have been made to the Nursing and Midwifery and Health Professions Councils in readiness for their formal establishment on 1 April.

John Hutton: The Nursing and Midwifery and Health Professions Orders 2001 provide for the Privy Council to make appointments to the new Councils. I can confirm that members have accepted the invitations to serve for a three-year term from 1 April 2002. The following is a list of their names.
	Nursing and Midwifery Council
	President
	Jonathan Asbridge—England
	Practitioner members
	Nurses
	Jonathan Asbridge—England
	Sharon Hall—Wales
	Kathleen McLean—Scotland
	Mary Hanratty—Northern Ireland
	Midwives
	Catherine Warwick—England
	Jean Keats—Wales
	Heather Shaw—Scotland
	Elizabeth Bannon—Northern Ireland
	Health Visitors
	Bronya Webster—England
	Marianne Cowpe—Wales
	Ishbel White—Scotland
	Fiona Wright—Northern Ireland
	Alternate members
	Nurses
	Professor David Sines—England
	Elizabeth Hewett—Wales
	Nancy Kirkland—Scotland
	Angela O'Connor—Northern Ireland
	Midwives
	Professor Paul Lewis—England
	Christine Hayes—Wales
	Mary Vance—Scotland
	Eileen Pollock—Northern Ireland
	Health Visitors
	Heather Livesey—England
	Angela Roberts—Wales
	Sheena Wright—Scotland
	Maureen Jamison—Northern Ireland
	Lay (Others)
	Education
	Professor Gordon Dickson—Scotland
	Professor Donald Pennington—England
	NHS Employers
	Catherine Gritzner—England
	Non-NHS Employers
	Trevor Purt—England
	Lay (users)
	Jill Carter—England
	Christina Funnell—England
	William Buxton—England
	Moi Ali—Scotland
	Alan Ferguson OBE—Northern Ireland
	John Leece Jones—Wales
	Health Professions Council
	President
	Professor Norma Brook—England
	Practitioner members
	Professor Diane Waller (Arts Therapists)—England
	Pamela Sabine (Chiropodists)—England
	Dr John Old (Clinical Scientists)—England
	Morag MacKellar (Dietitians)—Scotland
	Neil Willis (Medical Laboratory Technicians)—Wales
	Mary Crawford (Occupational Therapists)—England
	Clare McGartland (Orthoptists)—Northern Ireland
	Joanna Manning (Paramedics)—England
	Dr Robert Jones (Physiotherapists)—England
	William Munro (Prosthetists & Orthotists)—Scotland
	Dr Alexander Yule (Radiographers)—Wales
	Dr Anna Van Der Gaag (Speech & Language Therapists)—Scotland
	Alternate members
	Michael Barham (Arts Therapists)—England
	Paul Frowen (Chiropodists)—Wales
	Dr Graham Beastall (Clinical Scientists)—Scotland
	Gillian Pearson (Dietitians)—England
	Gordon Sutehall (Medical Laboratory Technicians)—England
	Carol Lloyd (Occupational Therapists)—England
	Helen Davis (Orthoptists)—England
	Michael Collins (Paramedics)—Wales
	Eileen Thornton (Physiotherapists)—England
	Laurence Hughes (Prosthetists & Orthotists)—Northern Ireland
	Rosemary Klem (Radiographers)—England
	Jacqueline Pearce (Speech & Language Therapists)—England
	Lay Members
	Education
	Professor Anthony Hazell—Wales
	Professor John Harper—Scotland
	NHS employers
	Robert Clegg—England
	Non-NHS employers
	Shaheen Chaudhry—England
	Lay (users)
	Jacqueline Stark—England
	Professor John Lilleyman—England
	Anne Foster—England
	Keith Ross—Scotland
	Christine Farrell—England
	Barbara Stuart—Northern Ireland
	Colin Lea—Wales
	Professor Jeffrey Lucas—England

No Secrets Guidance

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  if he will make his policy to include adult protection indicators arising from the implementation of No Secrets in the performance indicator framework; and if he will make a statement.
	(2)  when the Social Services Inspectorate plans to inspect social services' implementation of the No Secrets guidance.

Jacqui Smith: This Department is not currently planning to inspect local councils for compliance with the XNo Secrets" guidance. We have commissioned the Centre for Policy on Ageing to undertake an analysis of all local council multi-agency codes of practice. Once the results of this work are made available a decision will be made on the need to follow up the XNo Secrets" guidance.
	At present there are no plans to include a specific adult protection indicator in the Personal Social Services Performance Assessment Framework. There are however several existing indicators of relevance to adult protection (for example emergency admissions, avoidable harm from falls and hypothermia, clients receiving reviews and inspections of residential care). A decision on including a specific adult protection indicator will be made once the Centre for Policy on Ageing have concluded their analysis.

Community Pharmacists

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to utilise community pharmacists in the review of medication of older people.

Jacqui Smith: The NHS Plan set a target for all Primary Care Trusts to have schemes in place so that people get more help from pharmacists in using their medicines by 2004.
	The National Service Framework (NSF) for Older People highlighted the importance of medication review and the role pharmacists can play in helping older people take their medicines more effectively.
	We are investing in medicines management services including through the collaborative hosted by the National Prescribing Centre. This initiative will build on and complement other local initiatives through which community pharmacists are involved in reviewing the medication of older people, as promoted in the NSF.

Nursing Care Payments

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will list those homes which have received a letter from the Minister of State, Department of Health, the hon. Member for Redditch (Jacqui Smith), following representations regarding the failure to pass on the free nursing care payments to residents.

Jacqui Smith: I wrote to four national care home providers about their fees and charging structures in the light of the introduction of National Health Service funded nursing care following the receipt of correspondence from concerned individuals. As a result of the responses received, on 11 March I announced my intention to issue a national model contract; to amend regulation 5 of the Care Home Regulations; and to ask the National Care Standards Commission to ensure that the minimum standard relating to contracts was enforced.

Domiciliary Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what measures are in place to prevent (a) financial, (b) sexual, (c) physical and (d) mental abuse against older people in home care settings.

Jacqui Smith: Statutory guidance on the prevention of elder abuse, XNo Secrets", was issued on 20 March 2000 to councils with social services responsibilities. This required the implementation of local multi-agency codes of practice by 31 October 2001.
	Care providers registered with the National Care Standards Commission will be required to comply with the protection of vulnerable adults scheme from 1 August 2002.
	The National Care Standards Commission will take account of National Minimum Standards for domiciliary care agencies in deciding whether agencies comply with the forthcoming Domiciliary Care Agencies Regulations. The prevention of financial, sexual, physical and mental abuse in the home care setting will be an essential part of the National Minimum Standards.

Domiciliary Care

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he plans to publish the Protection of Vulnerable Adults consultation document.

Jacqui Smith: We are planning to begin a consultation exercise involving all relevant stake-holders within the next few months.

Care Home Standards

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps the National Care Standards Commission will take with those care homes that fail to comply with the Care Standards Act 2000 Part 11, section 11(1) by 1 April.

Jacqui Smith: Providers who have submitted applications for registration by 31 March 2002 will be given transitional protection from section 11(1) of the Care Standards Act until their application can be processed by the National Care Standards Commission. Providers who fail to submit their application for registration by 31 March will be committing an offence under section 11(1) of the Act. However, before taking prosecution action as set out at section 11(5), we would expect the Commission to take account of the relevant circumstances.

Bioterrorism

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what actions the Government have undertaken to warn the public (a) about possible bio-terrorist attacks and (b) of the symptoms of smallpox.

John Hutton: The Department has not issued guidance to the public about possible bio-terrorist attacks as it is not currently considered that a specific or credible threat exists to the UK.
	Guidance was issued to all health authorities and Regional Directors of Public Health on the procedures to be followed in the event of a deliberate release of smallpox and other biological agents on 17 October 2001. At the same time, guidance for medical and laboratory staff was issued by the Public Health Laboratory Service on 17 October 2001. This is available on the PHLS website: http://www.phls.co.uk/advice/smallpox—guidelines.pdf. This is also available to the public. Guidance is also available to the public from NHS Direct.

Primary Care Trusts

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he plans to deal with the revenue consequences of capital schemes which are in progress, but not yet in use, in making allocations to PCTs; and if he will list the (a) PCTs affected and (b) related capital schemes.

John Hutton: We currently allocate funding to health authorities, and they allocate funding to primary care trusts, on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. A weighted capitation formula is used to determine each health authority and primary care trust's fair share of available resources, to enable them to commission similar levels of services for populations in equal need.
	In future the intention is that allocations will be made direct to primary care trusts. This is subject to the passage of legislation through Parliament. Allocations will continue to be based on the principle of weighted capitation. PCTs will meet the revenue consequences of capital schemes that are in progress but not completed from these allocations.
	Information for (a) and (b) is not centrally available.

Primary Care Trusts

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how he plans to allocate money to PCTs in order that they can meet expenditure associated with functions delegated to them; and when such allocations will be made.

John Hutton: We currently allocate funding to health authorities, and they allocate funding to primary care trusts, on the basis of the relative needs of their populations. A weighted capitation formula is used to determine each health authority and primary care trust's fair share of available resources, to enable them to commission similar levels of services for populations in equal need.
	In future the intention is that allocations will be made direct to primary care trusts. This is subject to the passage of legislation through Parliament. Allocations will continue to be based on the principle of weighted capitation.
	We announced allocations to health authorities for 2002–03 on 6 December 2001. Health authorities are setting initial primary care trust allocations for 2002–03 for those functions for which primary care trusts will be responsible from 1 April 2002. Subject to Parliament the intention is that further functions will be devolved to primary care trusts from 1 October 2002. Primary care trust allocations will be reset to cover these functions.

Faversham Cottage Hospital

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health further to his answer of 19 March 2002, Official Report, column 308W, on cottage hospitals, what funding is available to Faversham Cottage Hospital to develop its role.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally. The information is available from the Chairman of the East Kent Community NHS Trust.

Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust

David Wilshire: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many trolley waits of over four hours in locations other than within the accident and emergency department there were at the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust in each month between January 2001 and February 2002;
	(2)  how many operations were cancelled on the day before an operation had been scheduled at the Ashford and St. Peter's Hospitals NHS Trust in each month between January 2000 and February 2002.

Hazel Blears: This is day to day management information and is not available centrally.
	Information is not collected centrally in the format requested.
	Information on the number of operations cancelled at the last minute for non-medical reasons, and breaches to the standard to re-admit patients within one month following such cancellations, are collected on a quarterly basis at health authority level and placed in the Library. The latest figures are for Quarter 2 (July–September) of the 2001–02 financial year.

NHS Finance

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what the overspend is in each NHS trust, PCT and health authority;
	(2)  what his assessment is of the likely level of (a) underspending and (b) overspending in the NHS in 2001–02;
	(3)  which (a) NHS trusts and (b) health authorities are expected to exceed their resource limits in 2001–02; and by what amount the resource limit is expected to be exceeded in each case.

John Hutton: We are in discussions with NHS Trusts, health authorities and PCTs about managing their end-of-year positions. The information requested will be available when the annual audited accounts are completed and published.

Smoking-related Deaths

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many deaths there have been since May 1997 from stroke; how many of these were smoking related; and what plans he has to introduce a bill on tobacco advertising and promotion.

Jacqui Smith: pursuant to her reply, 5 December 2001, c. 367W
	I regret that my previous reply was incorrect. It should read as follows:
	The table shows the number of deaths from cerebrovascular disease, including stroke, which occurred in the United Kingdom.
	
		
			 Year United Kingdom (all ages) 
		
		
			 1995 69,395 
			 1996 68,506 
			 1997 66,352 
			 1998 66,018 
			 1999 64,515 
		
	
	Source:
	Office of National Statistics; ICD 9 430-438
	The latest available UK figure for the number of deaths from cerebrovascular disease, including stroke estimated to be caused by smoking is 7,300 deaths among those aged 35 and over (1995 data). These deaths represent approximately 11 per cent. of all deaths from cerebrovascular disease in the UK in that year (Christine Callum, The UK Smoking Epidemic: Deaths in 1995. Health Education Authority, 1998).
	We have recently announced that we will take the Tobacco Advertising and Promotion Bill through the House of Commons. The Second Reading will take place on 9 April 2002.

TRANSPORT, LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND THE REGIONS

Ports

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received about state support to British ports.

David Jamieson: We have received representations about the proposed Great Yarmouth Outer Harbour Project and about the ferry service from the Port of Rosyth to Zeebrugge. We believe that port developments and port operations should not in general need public subsidy. However, if a project has the potential to justify worthwhile economic and environmental benefits, it may qualify to be considered for an element of public funding.

Ports

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the differing levels of state assistance provided to European Union ports.

David Jamieson: The European Commission included a report on public financing and charging in European ports in its Communication on Ports, published in February 2001. We believe that state funding and subsidies are an important factor affecting competition between European ports, and we have urged the Commission to take a further look at these issues.

British Seafarers

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 20 March 2002, Official Report, column 348W, on British seafarers, what performance indicators are used by his Department to assess the impact of (a) the Support for Maritime Training Scheme and (b) the Tonnage Tax on the training and employment of British seafarers.

David Jamieson: The indicators are the number of trainees as given in the reply of 20 March 2002, Official Report, column 348W, to the hon. Member's previous question.
	We recognise that this falls short of the approximately 1,400 recruits a year estimated by academic studies to meet current needs at sea and future posts in the onshore maritime sector. The validity of this estimate is to be reviewed. We believe that the recent changes to the SMarT scheme, together with the tonnage tax training commitments, will lead to a significant increase in seafarer recruitment.

Short Sea Shipping

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 20 March 2002, Official Report, column 350W, on short sea shipping, when he will publish the proposals being considered by his Department for a short sea shipping employment grant.

David Jamieson: We are awaiting the industry to publish their proposals.

Maritime and Coastguard Agency

Andrew Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects to announce the key targets for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency for 2002.

David Jamieson: I will shortly place in the Libraries of both Houses a copy of the Agency's Business Plan, which includes its key targets for 2002–03. The key targets are:
	to decide on the appropriate search and rescue response to accidents and life threatening situations, and initiate action if necessary, within five minutes of being alerted in at least 95 per cent. of incidents;
	to introduce three pilot search and rescue accident prevention projects targeted at the most common incident categories and measure their impact by 31 March 2003;
	to build on the risk based approach to improve the focus of ship inspections, and deliver at least 96 per cent. of the planned inspections based on that approach;
	to increase the percentage of available surveyor time spent on surveys, inspections and related operational work by 5 per cent.
	to achieve an 80 per cent. customer satisfaction rating as a result of a survey of the shipping industry; and
	to improve our performance by 5 per cent. in regard to Service Standard 4: Issue Notices of Eligibility for admission to seafarers' examinations.

EU State Aid

Alistair Carmichael: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 20 March 2002, Official Report, column 350W, on EU state aid, if he will publish the assessments made by his Department of the operation of EU state aid rules on the encouragement of national flag shipping and seafarer employment.

David Jamieson: Our assessment, in response to the EU Commission's enquiries, is that the current state aid rules allow for increasing UK ship registration and seafarer employment. The assessment cannot be published as it contains commercially sensitive information.

Ferry Links

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps he is taking to encourage expanded ferry links between Scotland and Northern Ireland via the Lockryan ports.

David Jamieson: holding answer 25 March 2002
	The provision of ferry services is a matter for decision by individual ferry operators and port authorities.

Swanwick

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment his Department has made of closures of air traffic control sectors by the centre of Swanwick since it began operations; what the (a) dates of (b) nature of and (c) reasons for closures were; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: These are operational matters for National Air Traffic Services as the operator of Swanwick and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) as the independent aviation safety regulator. The CAA is satisfied that the operational arrangements at Swanwick are safe and it is scrutinising the performance of the system closely.

Air Cargo

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the total net change in air cargo movements has been since 1997 for each UK airport.

David Jamieson: This information is not available in the form requested.

Galileo Project

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he expects the Galileo Project for positioning to be completed; and when he expects it to be made compulsory for air movements in EU airspace.

David Jamieson: The upcoming Transport Council on 26 March is expected to take decisions on the development and validation phase (2002–05) of Galileo, the European Commission's global navigation satellite system. The Government understands that Galileo is expected to become operational in 2008 and that the future Galileo aviation requirements have yet to be determined.

Airports

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact of the proposed international airport in Northern France on the airports in the South East of England.

David Jamieson: The South East and East of England Regional Air Services Study (SERAS) has not undertaken an assessment of the impact of the proposed airport in northern France on airports in the study region. It should be noted that the proposed French airport is a long way from London—about the same distance as Manchester.

Slot Allocations

David Stewart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he plans to make a decision on the application for public service obligation on the Gatwick to Inverness route; and if he will make a statement on the decision of Scot Air to delete the Inverness to London-City route and its implications for security of access from Highlands to London.

David Jamieson: holding answer 21 March 2002
	The Government will make an announcement on the application to impose a public service obligation on the Gatwick to Inverness route shortly. Scot Air's decision to cease to operate air services between Inverness and London City was a commercial one for the airline. Two other airlines continue to provide air services between Inverness and London.

NATS

Peter Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment has been made of future funding requirements for NATS.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing North (Mr. Pound) on Wednesday 20 March 2002, Official Report, column 353W.

Airlines

Stephen Pound: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proposals he has to pay compensation to airlines affected by the closure of US, Israeli and central London airspace following the terrorist attacks in the USA on 11 September; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Following my right hon. Friend's announcement on 13 December 2001, Official Report, columns 103–04W, of a scheme of financial assistance to airlines, applications for compensation have been received. These have now been scrutinised and my right hon. Friend has decided that assistance totalling some #39.7 million will be paid to 11 airlines.

Airlines

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what basis state aid will be paid to airlines; which ones will receive it; whether such subsidy will be made available to all UK airlines who can prove financial loss due to the events in the USA on 11 September in proportion to the downturn in traffic they have experienced since that time; whether such subsidy will include meeting losses that can be shown to have been incurred by UK airports; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: Following my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State's announcement on 13 December 2001, Official Report, columns 103–04W, of a scheme of financial assistance to airlines, applications for compensation have been received. These have now been scrutinised and my right hon. Friend has decided that assistance totalling some #39.7 million will be paid to 11 airlines. Air 2000, Airtours, BA, bmi British Midland, Britannia, British European, JMC, KLM uk, Monarch, Scot Airways, Virgin Atlantic. Airports were not eligible under the scheme.

Airport Security

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 19 March 2002, Official Report, column 232W, on airport security, which United Kingdom (a) airports and (b) airlines have signed up to the Voluntary Commitments on Air Passenger Rights;
	(2)  what non-legally binding commitments are set out in the Voulntary Commitments on Air Passenger Rights.

David Jamieson: Twenty UK airports have signed up to the Airport Passenger Service Commitment. They are Aberdeen; Belfast International; Birmingham International; Bournemouth; Bristol International; Cardiff International; East Midlands; Edinburgh; Exeter International; Glasgow; Humberside; Leeds Bradford; Liverpool; London Gatwick; London Heathrow; London Luton; London Stansted; Manchester; Norwich International; Southampton.
	Ten UK airlines have signed up to the Airline Passenger Service Commitment. They are Air 2000; Airtours International (now MyTravel Airways); bmi British Midland; Britannia Airways; British Airways; British European Airways; JMC Airlines; KLM(UK); Monarch Airlines; Virgin Atlantic Airways.
	The Airport Passenger Service Commitment covers 11 areas, with signatories agreeing to: provide assistance to persons with reduced mobility; display passenger information on legal rights; provide assistance during periods of significant delays or disruption; improve airport access and ground transportation; provide appropriate infrastructure for check-in, baggage and security; regularly maintain equipment; ensure that sufficient trolleys are available; provide clear way-finding and staffed information desks; keep all public areas clean at all times; ensure that customer comment and complaint procedures are clear and effectively managed; produce regular consumer reports on levels of passenger satisfaction.
	The Airline Passenger Service Commitment covers 14 areas, with signatories agreeing to: offer the lowest fare available through each of their direct outlets; honour the agreed fare after payment; notify passengers of known delays, cancellations and diversions; assist passengers facing delays; deliver baggage as quickly as possible; allow telephone reservations to be held or cancelled without commitment or penalty within 24 hours; provide prompt refunds; provide assistance to passengers with reduced mobility and passengers with special needs; meet passengers essential needs during long on-aircraft delays; take measures to speed up check in; reduce the number of passengers who are involuntarily denied boarding; provide information to passengers regarding commercial and operational conditions; provide information on the operating carrier; and be responsive to passengers' complaints.
	The full text of the Commitments can be found on the website of the Air Transport Users Council at http://www.auc.org.uk.

Air Traffic Control

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Cotswold (Mr. Clifton-Brown) of 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 177W, on air traffic control, if the estimate provided included (a) the direct internal costs referred to in his answer of 11 March 2002, Official Report, column 742W, (b) controller relocation and training costs and (c) interim costs of expanding the West Drayton Centre while Swanwick was non-operational; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  if he will provide a definition of commissioned cost he used in the answer; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The figure of #623 million quoted in my answer of 5 March, comprises the capital and revenue costs, together with costs associated with bringing the system into operation (which include costs of operation, maintenance and support of the Swanwick site). The figure includes the direct internal costs and the controller relocation and training costs, but not the interim costs of expanding the West Drayton centre prior to Swanwick becoming operational.

Heathrow

Lawrie Quinn: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will announce his decisions on the applications to extend the Heathrow Express and the Piccadilly Line to the proposed fifth terminal at Heathrow Airport; and if he will make a statement.

Stephen Byers: When I gave approval on 20 November last to the building of a fifth terminal at Heathrow, I said that I shared the inquiry Inspector's view on the importance of these two proposed railway extensions to the case for approving the new terminal. I therefore imposed conditions requiring two railway extensions to be provided before the core terminal building is opened. I also said that I was minded to make the necessary Orders under the Transport and Works Act (TWA) authorising the proposed railway extensions, and to grant planning permission for this development.
	I was, however, unable at that stage to grant the necessary approvals for the railway works. This was because I wished to attach planning conditions giving satisfactory control over the railway development, but these conditions had not been discussed at the inquiry. I therefore set out in my November letter the conditions I was minded to impose and invited comments. I have subsequently received comments from interested parties which have shown a good measure of agreement for the conditions I proposed, and which have helped me to finalise their wording.
	I have therefore now decided to make the TWA Orders and to give planning approval for the Heathrow Express and Piccadilly Line extensions. Copies of both decision letters, which include the full sets of conditions for these works, have been placed in the Library of the House.

PFI/PPPs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the (a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership projects which have been delayed.

Alan Whitehead: In this Department, the only PPP/PFI project where contract signature is likely to be reached later than originally planned is the Health and Safety Laboratory Estate Rationalisation project which I expect to be signed shortly.

PFI/PPPs

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what role his Department played in the transfer of (a) real estate and property and (b) other assets to the shadow PPP infracos.

David Jamieson: The Secretary of State gave consent for the necessary transfers in accordance with the provisions of the London Regional Transport Act 1984 (as amended).

London Underground

Matthew Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what changes relating to reputational externalities were made in the Ernst & Young, London underground PPPs Value for Money Review, between the receipt of a copy from Ernst & Young and the presentation of the copy to the House on 5 February; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: No such changes were made.

London Underground

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether he intends to appoint an interim arbiter for the London Underground PPP; and under what powers and specification he is able to make such an appointment.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answers given on 5 March 2002, Official Report, column 170W, and 12 March, Official Report, column 920W.

London Underground

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the ability of London Underground rolling stock to operate on main lines beyond the terminal points of the tube network.

David Jamieson: holding answer 25 March 2002
	This is a matter for London underground (LU). LU's rolling stock is purpose-designed and the Underground uses a four-rail system and operates to different rules from the main line. These differences make it difficult for LU rolling stock to operate beyond the existing network. However, there are short sections of the main line over which LU has long standing running rights and which have been specially adapted for this purpose.
	LU has carried out an assessment of a section where they plan to extend the Metropolitan line to Watford Junction (the Croxley Link). This involves a short section of new line and then a connection to the Euston/Watford Junction main lines.

London Underground

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the safety case that will be required to be conducted by the Health and Safety Executive before the transfer of London Underground to Transport for London; and what implications this has for contracts between infracos and London Underground under the PPP.

David Jamieson: London Underground, as the operator of trains, stations and infrastructure, is responsible for preparing a safety case. The Health and Safety Executive considers whether the safety arrangements made out in the case, if implemented, are capable of delivering safety.
	HSE is currently considering London Underground's revision of its existing case, which sets out safety arrangements with its infrastructure companies in the private sector. Acceptance of these arrangements by HSE is necessary before the Tube modernisation plans can proceed. Whether a further revision will be necessary to cover transfer of London Underground to Transport for London depends on the extent of any further changes to safety arrangements that may be involved.

London Underground

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which aspects of the modernisation plans for the London Underground have been set as requirements by his Department; and what the mechanism is by which these requirements have been set in each case.

David Jamieson: The Government do not have powers to set specific requirements in relation to London Underground's plans for the modernisation of the Tube. London Underground shares the Government's objectives of improving the Tube and ensuring that there should be no privatisation, that safety be maintained or improved and that the contracts should only go ahead if they represent value for money.

London Underground

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2002, Official Report, column 736W, on London Underground, who in Government have been involved in the discussions on increased public grants to support the tube modernisation programme with Transport for London; on what dates discussions have take place; and what reference has been made to the infraco contracts in discussions with Transport for London;
	(2)  what discussions he (a) has had and (b) plans to have with other parties regarding increased public grants to support the tube modernisation programme.

David Jamieson: Tripartite discussions have begun between officials of my department, London Underground and Transport for London on the overall level of grant provision over the first seven and a half years of the Tube modernisation contracts. It is envisaged that a number of further discussions will take place between the three parties before the grant determination process is concluded.

London Underground

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 11 March 2002, Official Report, column 737W, on PPP Infracos, who has statutory powers to take over work from the London Underground PPP Infracos; and under what legislation.

David Jamieson: Under the plans for the modernisation of the Underground, three infrastructure companies will carry out work to maintain and modernise the Tube's infrastructure under contract to London Underground. The contracts provide powers for London Underground to take over the work of the infrastructure companies if necessary for safety or other reasons.
	As referred to in my answer of 4 March 2002, Official Report, column 85W, the Greater London Authority Act 1999 provides statutory powers for an infrastructure company to be managed under a PPP administration order.

London Underground

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 7 March 2002, Official Report, column 555W, on London Underground, how many revisions of the draft PPP contracts were received by his Department; on which dates; and what the reasons were for the revisions in each case.

David Jamieson: As stated in my answer of 7 March 2002, Official Report, column 555W, London Underground has shared revisions to draft contracts with DTLR throughout the process of developing the proposals for the modernisation of the Underground. Details of the number and dates of changes could only be provided as disproportionate cost. The reasons for any changes are a matter for London Underground, but throughout the aim has been to ensure that the public sector gets the best value for money overall.

London Underground

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what correspondence was received from (a) Transport for London, (b) the London Mayor and (c) London Transport on the London Underground PPP in the week preceding 7 February; and if he will place the correspondence in the Library.

David Jamieson: holding answer 11 March 2002
	Consistent with the Code of Practice on Access to Government Information exemption on internal discussion and advice, it would not be appropriate to place such correspondence in the Library.

Central Railway

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on Chiltern Railway passenger services of (a) the construction and (b) the operation of the Central Railway project.

David Jamieson: The impact on the operations on the existing network is among the key areas that the SRA will be examining in its further detailed assessment of Central Railway's proposals.

Central Railway

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 15 March 2002 to the hon. Member for Luton, North (Mr. Hopkins) Official Report, column 1276W, on the Central Railway, if he will place in the Library a copy of the Strategic Rail Authority's report on the Central Railway proposal.

David Jamieson: I am arranging for a copy of the SRA's consultants' report to be placed in the library.

Central Railway

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on what date he received the report of the SRA on the proposed Central Railway Project.

David Jamieson: The SRA first notified my Department of the conclusions of its high level review on 20 September and discussions about the proposal are continuing.

Rolling Stock

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 15 March 2002, Official Report, column 1271W on rolling stock, what proportion of the new vehicles entering service between 1999 and 2001 were ordered after 25 February 1999; when the remainder were ordered; and where information regarding the refurbishment of railway rolling stock is held.

David Jamieson: 15 per cent. of these vehicles were ordered after 25 February 1999. Of the remainder, 53 per cent. were ordered in 1998 and 32 per cent. in 1997. None was ordered between 1 January 1999 and 24 February 1999. Information about refurbishment of rolling stock is held by the rolling stock leasing companies (ROSCOs).

Rolling Stock

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what rules the Health and Safety Executive applies to the loan of rolling stock by preservation societies to train operating companies.

David Jamieson: Provided that the vehicles have not been deleted from the Library list of rolling stock permitted to run on the network, and they have not been modified, they are covered by Xgrandfather" rights and do not require further approval under the Railway and Other Transport System (Approval of Works, Plan and Equipment) Regulations.
	However, the Railway Safety Regulations 1999 prohibit Mark 1 rolling stock from carrying fare paying passengers from 1 January 2003 unless the vehicles are modified to reduce the risk of overriding or an exemption has been granted for their use. These regulations also prohibit trains from running on the mainline railway that are not protected by a train protection system such as TPWS. The operation of the vehicles will also need to be addressed in the duty holder's Railway Safety Case.

Railtrack

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether the Government have approached the European Commission about the possible extension of state aid approval for Railtrack in administration beyond September.

David Jamieson: No approach has been made.

Railtrack

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimate he has made of the additional state aid approval that would be required to extend Railtrack administration for an additional six months beyond the end of September.

David Jamieson: No such estimate has been made.

Railtrack

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what estimated funding levels were included in the 10 year plan for the level of income assessed for Railtrack by the Regulator for Control Period 3.

David Jamieson: The original 10-year Plan, published in July 2000, assumed that Railtrack's income in Control Period 3 would be based upon our projections for the fixed element of Railtrack's track access charges. This involved a 2 per cent. increase in real terms for fixed track access charges in 2001–02 and a 2 per cent. reduction in real terms for each of the subsequent nine years.

Railtrack

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what percentage increase the 10-year Plan includes for Railtrack income between Control Period 2 and Control Period 3.

David Jamieson: No detailed breakdown is currently made of how much of the 10-year Plan funding in the Control Period 3 years (2006–07 to 2010–11) will be for Railtrack or for other individual companies. The level of income for Railtrack's successor in CP3 will depend upon the nature of the company and will be determined by the Rail Regulator through a Periodic Review, having regard to his statutory duties under section 4 of the Railways Act 1993.

Railtrack

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what system of assessment is in place to monitor the work of Railtrack plc and the Rail Regulator in repairing and replacing rail track; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assurances the Government have received from Railtrack plc and the Rail Regulator that the track is being repaired and replaced to a proper level of safety; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR) receives monthly information from Railtrack on the physical condition of its track. Railtrack also supplies monthly reports on the numbers of broken rails and other incidents that cause delay. These reports are shared with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and regular liaison takes place between the ORR and HSE so that the safety implications and performance of Railtrack are fully understood.
	In addition there is now in place a system of independent reporters who make an assessment directly to the Rail Regulator of the adequacy of Railtrack's stewardship of the network. The Regulator does not repair or replace track and so no system of monitoring his activities exists.

Railtrack

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether he is able to provide financial guarantees for commercial funding to the Railtrack administrator beyond 30 September.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday, 25 March 2002, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend, the Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Lawrie Quinn) [ref. 45966]. I would also refer the hon. Member to the Statement made to the House yesterday by the Secretary of State.

Railtrack

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  when he will have to make a further application for state aid consent to the European Commission if the process of ending Railtrack administration is delayed;
	(2)  how much the application for state aid consent from the European Commission for Railtrack was for;
	(3)  how much contingency funding the Government have allowed for in the state aid application to the European Commission for Railtrack.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given yesterday, 25 March 2002, by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Scarborough and Whitby (Lawrie Quinn) [ref. 45966].

Channel Tunnel

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with (a) the EU Commissioner for Transport and (b) his French counterpart on the suspension of rail freight services through the Channel Tunnel.

David Jamieson: Rail freight services through the Tunnel have been severely disrupted since November last year as a result of the actions of would-be illegal immigrants at SNCF's Frethun yard. The Government is extremely concerned at the impact of this disruption on UK businesses. My Department, and others, are in regular contact with both the European Commission and the French Government on this matter.

Channel Tunnel

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the impact has been on his rail freight targets under the 10 year transport plan of the suspension of rail freight services by SNCF through the Channel Tunnel.

David Jamieson: We will be producing a review of the 10 Year Plan in July this year.

ScotRail

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with National Express about the train drivers' strikes against ScotRail; and if he will make a statement.

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions his Department has had with National Express regarding the industrial dispute by employees of ScotRail; if his Department has given instructions to the company relating to the company's pay offer to drivers; and if ministers have intervened in giving advice to National Express on this matter.

David Jamieson: Neither DTLR Ministers nor their officials have given any instructions or advice to National Express or ScotRail concerning ScotRail's pay offer to its drivers.

Rail Freight (Harwich–Colchester Line)

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received on proposals to increase rail freight on the line between Harwich and Colchester; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: holding answer 25 March 2002
	My Department receives representations from time to time about rail freight to the Haven Ports. As part of its Freight Strategy, the Strategic Rail Authority is developing proposals to upgrade rail links to Harwich and Felixstowe.

Strategic Rail Authority

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2002, Official Report, column 369W, on the Strategic Rail Authority for what reasons (a) the expected amount of private investment under the plan will not exactly match that envisaged under the 10-year Plan and (b) infrastructure renewals are defined as investment.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority have indicated in their Strategic Plan that the total amount of private sector investment envisaged will be very similar to that envisaged in the 10-year Plan. They have also indicated that the precise amount will depend on the pace of negotiations and the terms that can be negotiated.
	Infrastructure renewals, which are the replacement or updating of railway assets to make them fit for use on the railway network, create assets that have a useful life over more than one accounting period. Under accounting rules, they can therefore be properly accounted for as investment to be amortised over the expected accounting life of the assets. Railtrack's current accounting policies reflect this, as did British Rail's when that organisation still existed.

SWT Franchise

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what impact the SRA consultation on the franchising structure of the South West Trains and Wessex areas will have on the timetable to complete the new SWT franchise agreement.

David Jamieson: The consultation process is not expected to delay completion of the new South West Trains franchise agreement.

Train Drivers

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many train drivers were working in the rail industry in November 1998.

David Jamieson: This information is not held centrally in the form requested. According to ATOC information, in April 1999 there were 8,684 established drivers of passenger trains.

Train Operating Companies

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will place in the Library the franchise agreement ancillary document D for each of the train operating companies.

Stephen Byers: These documents are available for inspection at the Strategic Rail Authority's offices, in accordance with section 73 of the Railways Act 1993. I have arranged for copies to be placed in the Library.

Railways

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what benchmarks and baseline periods he will use to assess the performance of the rail network in the next five years.

David Jamieson: We published on 18 February a quarterly set of key indicators against which progress on improving the railways could be measured. They are intended to provide a benchmark for future reference. The baseline period is April–June 2001. The indicators focus on the issues that matter most to passengers: punctuality, reliability, safety and quality. The first quarterly update was published on 18 March. The next will be published on 6 June.

Railways

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions for what reason the total length of the electrified rail network has fallen since 1997.

David Jamieson: The reduction referred to represents a very small proportion of total network length, about 0.2 per cent., and is an operational matter for Railtrack. I am not aware that it is attributable to a single factor.

Railways

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what recent discussions he has had with (a) the Strategic Rail Authority, (b) the Association of Train Operating Companies, (c) train operating companies, (d) the Rail Passenger Committee and (e) other passenger representatives regarding (i) rail fares and fare regulation and (ii) Network railcards.

David Jamieson: The SRA is conducting a review of fares policy and will report to Ministers. The Association of Train Operating Companies has met with Ministers to explain their proposals for the SouthEast Network Card.

Railways

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what targets he has set for his rail performance measures to be met by March 2005.

David Jamieson: The Government's 10 Year Transport Plan sets out clear targets for Rail focusing on increasing the number of passengers and volume of freight using the railways, and on tackling overcrowding. We do not intend to introduce yet further targets, but rather to have a set of benchmarks against which progress and improvements can be judged.

Railways

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what changes have taken place in the last five years to railway discount cards; what changes are planned; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) requires franchised train operators to continue to offer the Young Person's, Disabled Person's and Senior Citizen's railcards on the same terms as applied before privatisation. Train operators also operate commercial railcard schemes such as the Network Railcard (for travel in the South East) and the Family Railcard, whose terms are a matter for the train operators, and which are not subject to regulation by the SRA.

Railways

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many staff are employed in each key area of the railway industry; what the total requirement for staff in each key area is; what assessment he has made of staff shortage numbers in each key area; how many individuals are (a) in training and (b) trained for each key area; and how many individuals have (i) retired and (ii) left employment in each key area since 1995.

David Jamieson: Information from the Railway Industry Training Council indicates that approximately 140,000 people are employed in rail related work. The most recent information available indicates that in 2001 approximately 1,200 vacancies were reported as hard to fill. It is estimated that 5,500 people were in training for employment in the industry in 2001. No information is held centrally on numbers of people leaving the industry.

Railways

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 15 March 2002, Official Report, column 1271W, on rail summit targets, what issues arising from the National Rail Summits are not being taken forward through the SRA Strategic Plan.

David Jamieson: The broad thrust of the Rail Summits—improving both the rail network and its performance—is the fundamental goal of the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) and its Strategic Plan. That improvement will only come, as the Plan has made clear, through action to stabilise the industry and get back to basics now and through significant investment in renewal and enhancement of the network, in order to provide increased capacity for passenger and freight services. The SRA is currently engaged in delivering both of these.

Barcelona Summit

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on the discussions and resolutions of the Barcelona Summit related to transport.

John Spellar: I am pleased to report that there was substantial progress made at the Barcelona summit in a number of areas related to transport, consistent with Her Majesty's Government's objectives.
	The summit outcomes and discussions will advance the liberalisation of the transport sector, in particular, the calls to: progress work on the Second Railway Package; liberalise public transport more generally; achieve a Single Sky in air traffic management in 2004; take decisions on the proposed rules on airport slot allocation by the end of 2002; and, adopt by December 2002 the pending proposals on port services.
	In addition, the summit called for the Council and the European Parliament to adopt revised guidelines and financial rules on the Trans-European Networks (TEN) and welcomed progress on the Galileo satellite navigation system. The Council was requested to conclude its work on the proposed Regulation on HGV Drivers' Hours. There were also discussions on the proposed directive for fairer transport tariffs across different modes of transport by 2004.
	I should also refer the hon. Member for Epsom and Ewell to the Prime Minister's statement to the House on 18 March on the outcomes of the summit.

10-Year Plan

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the rail projects in the 10-year Plan on which development work has already started.

David Jamieson: Examination of the high-level feasibility of all of the rail projects listed in the 10-year Plan is either under way or has already been completed. The SRA's Strategic Plan lists at page 49 the major projects to which the SRA is already committed or which are prioritised for delivery by 2010.

10-Year Plan

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 25 February 2002, ref. 37093, on 10-year Plan funding, for what reason #1.5 billion of advanced grants to Railtrack has resulted in an increase in the 10-year Plan total.

David Jamieson: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend, the Chief Secretary on 26 February 2002, Official Report, columns 1207–08W.

Multi-modal Transport Studies

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many multi-modal transport studies are behind schedule; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: holding answer: Monday, 25 March 2002
	The Multi-Modal Studies programme contains 22 Studies which were split into three tranches. Five Studies from tranche 1 have so far reported to Regional Planning Bodies with recommendations. We have announced our decisions on three of these.
	From the remaining 17 Studies, two Studies from tranche 3 of the programme are expected to commence later this year. Nine studies from tranches 1 and 2 have been given time extensions. This is due to the complexity of the Study process, and the need for some additional work identified during the course of the Studies. Ten Studies are now due to report by summer 2002 and a further three Studies by December 2002. The remaining four Studies will report in 2003.

Concessionary Fares

Phyllis Starkey: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will publish the results of his survey with local authorities to assess the impact of the introduction of the statutory minimum requirement for concessionary fares introduced under the Transport Act 2000.

Sally Keeble: My Department will be publishing the results of the survey on 28 March. A copy of the Statistics Bulletin will be placed in the Library and will be available on my Department's website (www.dtlr.gov.uk) shortly.
	The statutory minimum requirement for concessionary fares was introduced in Spring 2001 and guarantees all elderly and disabled people half-fare or better on local bus services, with a free bus pass.
	The survey of local authorities in England was undertaken at the end of last year to assess the impact of the introduction of the statutory minimum requirement in each local authority area. The survey showed that over 50 per cent. of local authorities now offer a more generous concessionary fares scheme than before the introduction of the statutory minimum requirement, and 17 local authorities have introduced a concessionary fares scheme where none previously existed.
	Ninety four per cent. of local authorities offer a half fare concession for elderly people and 90 per cent. offer half fare for disabled people. The remaining local authorities either offer flat rate fares or free travel. Just under half of local authorities offer concessions on modes of public transport other than local buses.

Vehicle Clamping

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of (a) how many vehicles have been clamped and (b) how much revenue has been obtained from car clamping in each year since 1997.

Sally Keeble: Wheel clamping is undertaken on both the public highway and private land as a means of enforcing parking restrictions. There is no central record of the number of vehicles that have been clamped in particular years.

Parking Fines

Jimmy Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of how much revenue has been obtained from parking fines in each year since 1997.

Sally Keeble: Parking fines are issued by local authorities and the police service. The table below sets out the information available to the Department on total local authority income from parking in England and Wales. This is published in Local Government Financial Statistics; England and Welsh Local Government Financial Statistics. The figures include income from penalty charge notices and excess charge notices as well as parking charges—the Department does not have a breakdown of these elements.
	
		
			 Year Income1 # 
		
		
			 1997–98 652,644,000 
			 1998–99 668,929,000 
			 1999–2000 739,645,000 
			 2000–01 799,719,000 
		
	
	1 Covers all local authority income from parking, including fines.
	The following table shows the number of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued by police forces in England and Wales for obstruction, waiting and parking offences and estimated related income, which accrued to the Consolidated Fund, in each of the years since 1997 for which figures are available was as follows:
	
		
			 Year Number of FPNs Estimated FPN income # 
		
		
			 1997 2,199,000 45,590,000 
			 1998 2,118,000 44,425,000 
			 1999 1,808,000 38,087,000 
			 2000 1,595,000 33,877,000

Road Safety

Alice Mahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  how much money his Department spent on producing free road safety literature in 2001; and how much money it plans to spend on producing it in 2002;
	(2)  how his Department markets the free road safety literature it produces.

Alan Whitehead: The Department has committed approximately #750,000 to producing free road safety literature in the year 2001–02 in support of the Think! road safety campaign. It is envisaged that a similar amount will be spent on this next year.
	The Department markets its road safety literature via Road Safety Officers, Police forces, private sector and voluntary organisations who are active in support of national or local road safety campaigns. It also targets teachers and parents via exhibitions and advertising and editorials in the educational media. The literature is used on sites and in meetings throughout the country to spread road safety best practice to the public. All literature is also available on the Think! Road Safety website at www.think.dtlr.gov.uk.

M4 Bus Lane

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect on congestion of the operation of the bus lane on the M4 motorway since its introduction.

John Spellar: The Transport Research Laboratory (TRL) monitored use of the bus lane during its first year of operation. A copy of their report was placed in the House of Commons Library in January 2001.

M4 Bus Lane

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to change the bus lane on the M4 motorway to a carriageway for general use.

John Spellar: The Highways Agency has recently consulted interested parties on a proposal to increase the speed limit between Junction 4 and the elevated section of the M4 from 50 to 60 mph and to allow motorcycles to use the M4 bus lane.

Alternative Fuels

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what estimates he has made of the number of vehicle refuelling points in the UK in each of the last four years for (a) liquefied petroleum gas, (b) compressed natural gas and (c) hydrogen/fuel cell technology;
	(2)  what estimates he has made of the number of vehicles in the UK for each of the last four years which were powered by (a) liquefied petroleum gas, (b) compressed natural gas and (c) hydrogen/fuel cell technology;
	(3)  what (a) representations he has received from and (b) meetings he has had with vehicle manufacturers on measures to create incentives for investment in higher volumes of vehicles propelled by road fuel gases after 2004;
	(4)  if he will make it his policy to set a target for the UK's consumption of liquefied petroleum gas as a road fuel as a proportion of total fuel consumption for vehicle propulsion.

David Jamieson: My Department sponsors the Energy Saving Trust's Powershift programme which provides grants towards the cost of purchasing cleaner fuel vehicles. Last year, following an extensive consultation with vehicle manufacturers and fuel suppliers, I announced changes to the programme which offered higher levels of grants for manufacturer-approved LPG vehicles. This move is intended to encourage more manufacturers to invest in the development of production-line LPG vehicles. My Department maintains close links with vehicle manufacturers to keep track of their plans to introduce LPG models.
	The Government's general policy has been to encourage the wider use of LPG through fuel duty incentives and purchase grants offered under the Powershift programme rather than by setting an outright target for LPG consumption. Where Government does set targets these will tend to be based on environmental performance rather than specifying particular fuels or technologies.
	The table shows how the numbers of LPG vehicles and refuelling points have increased in the UK over the last four years (figures supplied by the LP Gas Association).
	
		
			 Year Number of vehicles Number of refuelling points 
		
		
			 1998 3,500 150 
			 1999 13,000 285 
			 2000 39,000 610 
			 2001 65,000 1,000 
		
	
	The take up of natural gas vehicles has been much slower. Over the last four years the population of natural gas vehicles has grown by around 50 vehicles per year with a total of 10 refuelling points over the same period.
	Hydrogen fuel cell technology is still in its infancy and there are, as yet, no hydrogen refuelling points for vehicles in the UK. However, the Government will be supporting a hydrogen refuelling point to be used in conjunction with a trial of three fuel cell buses in London expected to start in 2003.

Vehicle Emissions

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what information he has collated on the effectiveness of particulate traps, as fitted to vehicle diesel engines, for the reduction of emissions of (a) PM2.5 particles and (b) oxides of nitrogen;
	(2)  if he will make a statement setting out the measures and policy objectives, including targets, the Government have to reduce emissions from road traffic of (a) benzene, (b) 1,3 butadiene, (c) particulates and finer particles (PM10 and PM2.5), (d) carbon monoxide, (e) sulphur dioxide and (f) oxides of nitrogen.

David Jamieson: The effectiveness of diesel particulate filters has been the subject of a number of studies in recent years. All show that these filters can effectively remove more than 90 per cent. of particulate matter including all particulates that would contribute to the PM2.5 value.
	Controls of oxides of nitrogen is not the objective of a particulate filter, but depending upon the specific system design, reductions can be achieved. Departmental research on heavy-duty engines has shown that systems comprising an oxidation catalyst and particulate filter can reduce NOx by approximately 10 per cent.
	The Government's measures and policies for tackling air pollution from road transport, industry and other sources are set out in the Air Quality Strategy for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, published in January 2000. It includes ambient air quality standards for benzene, 1,3 butadiene, particles (PM10) carbon monoxide, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, lead and low level ozone and objectives for their achievement between 2003 and 2008. Proposals were issued last year to strengthen the objectives for PM10, benzene, carbon monoxide and introduce a new objective for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The current advice from the advisory Expert Panel on Air Quality Standards is that PM10 provides the most appropriate basis for an air quality standard rather than the finer fraction particles PM2.5.

Traffic Noise Pollution

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what policies the Government have in place to reduce traffic noise pollution; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: Since 1996 all new vehicles have had to meet stringent noise standards before entering service. No further reductions in noise limits are planned in the short term but the UK is participating in the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Working Group on vehicle noise which is examining the scope for further noise reductions. Requirements restricting the noise from tyres are being introduced in stages from this year in accordance with EU Directive 2001/43/EC.
	The 10-year Transport Plan extended the Government's commitment to reducing trunk road noise by stating that lower noise road surfacing will be used for all future maintenance and new construction work. All concrete roads on the national network will be resurfaced with this quieter material by March 2011. Current plans are that at the end of the 10-year Plan period some 60 per cent. of the national road network will have a lower noise surface.
	A programme of work is also underway to provide noise mitigation measures on certain trunk roads built or altered before 1988 prior to current methods of assessing traffic noise being adopted.

Night Time Deliveries

Gwyneth Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when his Department will announce a relaxation of night time delivery curfews for gas-powered trucks; what studies he has made of the impact on the environment in the neighbourhood around supermarkets; and what definitions he will apply to the relevant vehicles.

John Spellar: My Department is currently involved in a joint initiative by the Commission for Integrated Transport and the Freight Transport Association to explore the scope for Local Authorities to consider flexibility in delivery restrictions in exchange for better environmental performance by the distribution industry resulting in less disturbance to local residents. The aim is to develop a Code of Practice which would result in a significant reduction in the noise and other nuisance commonly associated with urban deliveries. This would enable deliveries to be carried out outside peak congestion hours, more flexibly and efficiently with fewer vehicles. Improved distribution would also help to ensure that products are available on the shelves at the times people want to buy them. The use of gas-powered vehicles might be amongst the appropriate Xbest practice" measures considered by local authorities in determining whether to ease delivery restrictions.

Fire Service

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his answer of 14 March 2002, Official Report, column 1200W, on extra training for the Fire Service, if he will place in the Library the guidance on mass decontamination methods that has been provided for Fire Authorities by central Government; and where information on the additional training for firefighters since 11 September is held.

Alan Whitehead: I have arranged for copies of the letter from Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Fire Services to all Chief Fire Officers dated 19 December 2001, (Dear Chief Officer Letter July 2001), which contains the central guidance on mass decontamination, to be placed in the Libraries of the House. Information on the additional training for firefighters since 11 September is held by individual Fire Brigades.

Civil Defence

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what budget allocation his Department has made to support civil defence planning at national level.

David Jamieson: The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions' civil emergency co-ordination unit has a budget in 2001–02 of #711,000 for administration and programme resources.
	In addition, the Fire Service Inspectorate have three officers working full time and other officers part time on issues as part of the XNew Dimension" review following the events of 11 September. The Operational Practices section of the Inspectorate deals with civil defence planning as part of its references. The approximate costs of providing the above support are:
	Salaries—#140,000 pa.
	Expenses—#20,000 pa.

Civil Defence

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether the Department has been involved in updating contingency plans to deal with a major civil emergency since 11 September.

David Jamieson: The Department's contingency plans for dealing with a major civil emergency have been reviewed in light of the events which took place on 11 September. In addition, the Department is actively involved in the Government wide post 11 September review of Civil Contingency arrangements.

Civil Defence

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the organisations which have responsibility for civil defence planning in the UK.

Christopher Leslie: I have been asked to reply.
	Local authorities have the main responsibility for preparing civil defence plans. They will need to include others with a role to play such as the emergency services, health authorities, utilities, transport operators, voluntary organisations and government departments and agencies.
	The Civil Contingencies Secretariat at the Cabinet Office was established in 2001 in order to aid co-ordination of civil defence matters at a national strategic level.

Telecommunications

Jim Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what steps are being taken to force public sector agencies in the South West to obtain best value for telecommunications services; and to what extent such agencies are being encouraged to use broadband.

Douglas Alexander: I have been asked to reply.
	The Office of Government Commerce (OGC) is responsible for delivering value for money improvements in procurement by the public sector. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has asked OGC to consider what more can be done to help Government departments and other public sector organisations buy broadband more effectively.
	In addition I recently detailed the allocation of a #30 million RDS broadband such with the South West RDA being awarded a #3.78 million package to encourage take up and rollout in their region.

EU Directives

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the European Union directives and regulations relating to his Department that have been implemented in each of the last four years, specifying (a) the title and purpose of each, (b) the cost of public funds of each and (c) the cost to businesses of each.

Alan Whitehead: The information requested is not held centrally and providing it would involve disproportionate cost. Regulatory impact assessments are produced for all proposals, including those originating in European legislation, likely to impose significant costs on businesses in the UK and are made available in the Libraries of the House. We do not hold information on the costs of implementation to public funds or businesses.

Electoral Register

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he intends to publish the consultation document on the Electoral Register.

Alan Whitehead: holding answer Monday, 25 March 2002
	The difficult and complex issues involved are necessitating very careful consideration and we hope to publish our policy paper on access to the electoral registers after Easter.

Free Literature

Alice Mahon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many (a) local authorities, (b) schools and (c) companies ordered DTLR free literature in 2001.

Alan Whitehead: The dissemination of DTLR Free Literature is contracted to an external distribution contractor. The contractor is unable to provide the information in the exact form requested but can provide the following information.
	During calendar year 2001:
	(i) 18,432 orders were received from 3,862 different address points within local authorities;
	(ii) 1,358 orders were received from 1,107 different school addresses; and
	(iii) 16,078 orders were received from 10,180 different company addresses.

Privatisation

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if his Department has a standard definition of (a) privatisation, (b) part-privatisation, (c) public private partnership, (d) private finance initiative and (e) not for profit company (i) to which they must or have worked and (ii) which they have developed.

Alan Whitehead: The Government set out its definitions for the various types of public private partnership in XPublic Private Partnerships—The Government's Approach" published in April 2000 and is available from the Libraries of the House.

Council Officers (Libel Actions)

Patrick Hall: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what guidance he has issued to local authorities on the use of public funds to support costs incurred by council officers who have pursued libel actions; and what plans he has to review such guidance.

Alan Whitehead: No guidance has been issued to local authorities. However, section 101 of the Local Government Act 2000 makes provision for the Secretary of State, by order, to give local authorities a power to provide indemnities to their members and officers. We intend to consult on the scope of this power in due course. The consultation paper will clarify the circumstances in which authorities will be allowed to indemnify their members and officers against costs that they might incur.

Finance (Liverpool)

Louise Ellman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what revenue and capital support he plans to make available to local government services in Liverpool in 2002–03.

Alan Whitehead: Liverpool City Council will receive a general grant for the funding of revenue expenditure (excluding local authority housing) of #432.9 million under the Local Government Finance Settlement for 2002–03. Of the special and specific grants paid by this Department, Liverpool will receive #15.1 million from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund. They will also receive Housing Revenue Account subsidy (HRAS) calculated on the basis of claims yet to be made by the authority. The amount of HRAS claimed for 2001–02 is some #97 million, including a Major Repairs Allowance of over #17 million for capital repairs to their stock.
	In 2002–03, Liverpool will receive #31.4 million basic credit approvals to support other capital spending as part of the single capital pot. They will also receive #9.9 million capital grant for Local Transport Plan administration. Additionally, #1.4 million Disabled Facilities Grants, and #0.4 million transitional private sector renewal grants are available to Liverpool, dependent on receipt of eligible grant claims.

Local Government Finance

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the criteria are for the use of local authorities' section 33 arrangement to reclaim VAT as applied to (a) the New Deal for Communities partnerships and (b) registered social landlords (i) wholly and (ii) partially comprising stock transferred from a local authority.

Sally Keeble: This is a matter for local authorities, New Deal for Communities partnerships and registered social landlords to resolve with Customs and Excise.

Local Authority Finance

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the average level of local authority debt in England is (a) in cash terms and (b) as a percentage of their budget; and if he will make a statement.

Alan Whitehead: The average level of local authority debt in England, as at 31 March 2001, is #95 million per local authority. This figure is 70 per cent. of their total budgeted revenue expenditure for 2001–02. These figures cover the London boroughs, Metropolitan Districts, Unitary authorities, Shire counties, Shire districts and the Isles of Scilly.
	Local authority debt finances capital investment. Long-term borrowing to finance capital expenditure is regulated by Government through the issue of credit approvals.

Local Authority Finance

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the debt-free authorities in England, broken down by the parties which control them.

Alan Whitehead: The 108 English local authorities listed below, together with the parties which control them, have reported that they had debt-free status as at 30 September 2001:
	
		
			 Local Authority Political control 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham Lab 
			 Basingstoke and Deane Noc 
			 Bath and NE Somerset Noc 
			 Bedford Noc 
			 Bracknell Forest UA Con 
			 Breckland Con 
			 Broadland Con 
			 Bromley Con 
			 Bromsgrove Con 
			 Broxbourne Con 
			 Chichester Con 
			 Cihltern Con 
			 Christchurch Con 
			 City of London Oth 
			 Congleton LDem 
			 Corby Lab 
			 Cotswold Noc 
			 Crawley Lab 
			 Dacorum Con 
			 Dartford Lab 
			 Daventry Con 
			 Dorset Con 
			 Est Cambridgeshire LDem 
			 East Devon Con 
			 East Dorset Con 
			 East Hampshire Con 
			 Eden Ind 
			 Elmbridge Noc 
			 Epsom and Ewell Ind 
			 Forest Heath Con 
			 Fylde Noc 
			 Hambleton Con 
			 Harlow Lab 
			 Hart Con 
			 Havant Noc 
			 Hertsmere Con 
			 Horsham Con 
			 Huntingdonshire Con 
			 Kennet Con 
			 Lichfield Con 
			 Malvern Hills Noc 
			 Mid Bedfordshire Con 
			 Mid Sussex Con 
			 Mole Valley Noc 
			 North Devon LDem 
			 North Dorset Con 
			 North Wiltshire Noc 
			 Penwith Noc 
			 Redditch Lab 
			 Reigate and Banstead Con 
			 Runnymede Con 
			 Rushmoor Con 
			 Ryedale Noc 
			 Salisbury Noc 
			 Sevenoaks Con 
			 South Bucks Con 
			 South Cambridgeshire Noc 
			 South Hams Con 
			 South Northamptonshire Con 
			 South Oxfordshire Noc 
			 South Ribble Noc 
			 South Shropshire Ind 
			 South Somerset LDem 
			 South Staffordshire Con 
			 Spelthorne Con 
			 St. Edmundsbury Con 
			 Staffordshire Moorlands Noc 
			 Stevenage Lab 
			 Stratford-on-Avon Con 
			 Suffolk Coastal Con 
			 Surrey Heath Con 
			 Swale Noc 
			 Tandridge Con 
			 Tewkesbury Noc 
			 Three Rivers LDem 
			 Tonbridge and Malling Noc 
			 Tunbridge Wells Con 
			 Tynedale Noc 
			 Uttlesford Noc 
			 Vale of White Horse LDem 
			 Watford Noc 
			 Waverley Con 
			 Welwyn Hatfield Lab 
			 West Berkshire UA LDem 
			 West Wiltshire LDem 
			 Windsor and Maidenhead UA Noc 
			 Worthing Con 
			 Wychavon Con 
			 Wycombe Con 
			 Wyre Con 
			 Wyre Forest Noc 
			 Cambridgeshire Police Authority Dorset Police Authority Kent Police Authority Merseyside Police Authority Suffolk Police Authority Sussex Police Authority Wiltshire Police Authority  
			   
			 Dartmoor Natonal Park Authority Exmoor National Park Authority Lake District National Park North York Moors National Park Authority Northumberland National Park Authority Peak National Park The Broads Authority Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority 
			   
			 North London Waste Authority  
			   
			 Greater London Authority  
		
	
	Source:
	Capital Payments and Receipts (CPR2) 2001–02
	Definition: An authority is debt-free if (a) at 31 March 2001, the authority's credit ceiling was nil or a negative amount and (b) at 30 September 2001, the authority had no money outstanding by way of external borrowing other than short-term borrowing or hard to redeem debt, as defined in Regulation 154 of the Local Authorities (Capital Finance) Regulations 1997.
	Con = Conservative
	Ind = Independent
	Lab = Labour
	Noc = No Overall Control
	LDem = Liberal Democrat

Local Authority Finance

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what proposals he has to require debt-free local authorities to pay into a central fund.

Sally Keeble: Our proposals for local government funding are set out in the recent Local Government White Paper—XStrong Local Leadership—Quality Public Services". They include the introduction of an arrangement for pooling a proportion of housing capital receipts arising in debt-free authorities to fund new housing investment where the need is greatest. This will mirror the arrangements that apply to non debt-free authorities. We are not proposing that this pooling should apply to receipts already realised.

EU Directives

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment the Government have made of the cost to British farming of the Vibrations Directive.

Alan Whitehead: The Health and Safety Executive's Regulatory Impact Assessment of the Vibration Directive is available in the House of Commons Library. It assesses the cost of the Directive to industry as a whole; no assessment has been made of the costs to individual sectors.

EU Directives

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment the Government have made of the impact of the noise directive on small manufacturers.

Alan Whitehead: The Health and Safety Executive's Regulatory Impact Assessment of the Physical Agents Noise Directive is available in the House of Commons Library. It includes an assessment of the impact of the Directive on small firms.

Human Rights Act

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what monitoring his Department undertakes on local authorities to ensure compliance with the Human Rights Act 1998 when undertaking best value reviews of services.

Alan Whitehead: The Department does not monitor compliance with the Act. The DETR, along with Home Office and the LGA published the document XA New Era of Rights and Responsibilities—core guidance for public authorities" in October 2000, to draw authorities' attention to the requirements of the legislation. Beyond this, compliance is a matter for the individual authority.

Wembley National Stadium

Stephen McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the proposals for car parking arrangements and public transport contained in the planning application for Wembley National Stadium, with specific reference to (a) the requirements for a 90,000 seat world class sporting venue, (b) the transport and environmental needs of the Brent area and (c) the Government's vision for a 21st century transport system.

Sally Keeble: It is for Brent Council to form a view of the content of the planning application.

Fatal Farming Accidents

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many fatal farming accidents there were in England and Wales in the last 12 months.

Alan Whitehead: Figures for fatal injuries in farming for 2001–02 will be available by September 2002. The provisional figures for 2000–01 show 38 work-related fatal injuries in farming in England and Wales.

Football Stadium

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when the public inquiry into the redevelopment of Odsal Stadium will start.

Stephen Byers: The planning application was called in on 19 February 2002. The Planning Inspectorate is making the inquiry arrangements in accordance with the Town and Country Planning (Inquiries Procedure) (England) Rules 2000. The target is to arrange inquiries within 22 weeks of the date of call-in.

Asbestos-related Illnesses

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  if he will make a statement on the criteria for compensation for asbestos-related illnesses contracted at work;
	(2)  if he will introduce legislation to ensure compensation for individuals who have contracted asbestos-related diseases after working with asbestos for more than one employer;
	(3)  if he will make a statement about the apportionment of responsibility between employers in cases where an individual suffering from asbestos-related illness has been employed by several employers.

Alan Whitehead: The recent judgment of the Court of Appeal in the Fairchild case has the effect of preventing people suffering from work-related mesothelioma who worked for more than one employer from seeking compensation through the courts. On 13 February 2002, Official Report, column 401W, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State announced that my Department will use the compensation scheme that the Department administers under the Pneumoconiosis etc. (Workers' Compensation) Act 1979 to make payments to people affected by the Fairchild judgment, provided that they meet the other conditions of eligibility under the scheme.
	The House of Lords will hear an appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal on 22–23 April. We will determine whether we need to act further in the light of the outcome of the appeal.

Care Homes

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many appeals for (a) the demolition and (b) the conversion of nursing and residential homes the Planning Inspectorate has considered in the past 12 months.

Sally Keeble: The provision of information on planning appeals is the responsibility of the Planning Inspectorate. I have asked the Inspectorate's Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Shepley, to write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Chris Shipley to Mr. Chris Grayling dated 26 March 2002
	The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your Question about planning appeals involving the demolition or conversion of nursing and residential homes.
	The Planning Inspectorate does not record the existing land use of a site that is subject to appeal; just the proposed one, together with the development description give at the time of the planning application. To identify any appeals that fall into the categories you require, we have had to rely on the description also including existing usage.
	We can identify a total of 13. Four included the demolition of a home, all of which were dismissed. Of the nine involving converting a home to another use, five were allowed and four dismissed.

North West Regional Assembly

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the annual cost is of the North West Regional Assembly.

Alan Whitehead: The North West Regional Assembly is a voluntary body which receives funds from a number of sources. It is responsible for its own budget and publishes its accounts annually. The Department has made available #0.5 million for the Assembly in this financial year and proposes to make available #0.6 million in 2002–03.

Urban Renewal

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on recent inner city regeneration initiatives.

Sally Keeble: The Urban White Paper Implementation Plan issued in March 2001 sets out how a wide range of initiatives across Government are supporting the objectives of the White Paper to deliver an urban renaissance. The Implementation Plan and six-monthly Implementation Bulletin (due to be re-issued in March 2002) provide an account of progress to date, as well as the key objectives we aim to deliver on over the next two years. Both documents can be found on my Department's website: www.regeneration.dtlr.gov.uk.
	We are working closely with 24 towns and cities across the country to take forward the urban agenda. These efforts will feed into the Urban Summit 2002. This will take place on 31 October and 1 November at the ICC in Birmingham. The Summit will reconfirm the Government-wide commitment to urban renaissance, celebrate success in bringing about change and identify where further action is needed, and evaluate the recommendations in the White Paper.
	The Government's vision for neighbourhood renewal was set out in the Neighbourhood Renewal National Strategy Action Plan, launched by the Prime Minister in January 2001. It aims to deliver economic prosperity, safe communities, high quality schools, decent housing and better health to the poorest parts of the country.
	This approach focuses Government programmes explicitly on deprived areas, many of which are located in inner cities, and requires local people and the public and private sectors to work in partnership. Government departments, local government and other public service providers are expected to bend their mainstream budgets to meet better local needs in deprived neighbourhoods. Departments have been set a series of minimum standards known as floor targets—for the first time they will be judged on the areas where they are doing worst and not on the national average.
	Extra resources are being directed to the 88 most deprived local authority areas to kickstart the strategy, including the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund, worth #900 million over three years.
	The strategy is co-ordinated and driven forward by the cross-cutting Neighbourhood Renewal Unit based in DTLR. Further information on the National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal, including updates on progress, can be found on the Neighbourhood Renewal Unit website: www.neighbourhood.gov.uk.

Urban Renewal

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list, in date order from June 1997, the Government (a) reports and (b) white papers relating to urban renewal and social inclusion.

Sally Keeble: Government reports and White Papers relating to urban renewal and social inclusion, in date order, are as follows:
	(a) Reports (All were produced by the Social Exclusion Unit, unless stated otherwise)
	Truancy and School Exclusion (May 1998)
	Rough Sleeping (July 1998)
	Teenage Pregnancy (June 1999)
	Bridging the Gap: New Opportunities for 16–18 Year Olds not in Education, Employment or Training (July 1999)
	A Report of Policy Action Team 5: Housing Management (August 1999)
	A Report of Policy Action Team 9: Community Self Help (September 1999), Home Office
	Opportunity for all—tackling poverty and social exclusion (September 1999)
	A Report of Policy Action Team 7: Unpopular Housing (October 1999), DETR
	A Report of Policy Action Team 2: Skills (December 1999), DfEE
	A Report of Policy Action Team 3: Business (1999), HM Treasury
	A Report of Policy Action Team 6: Neighbourhood Wardens (1999), Home Office
	A Report of Policy Action Team 10: Arts and Sport (1999), DCMS
	A Report of Policy Action Team 11: Schools Plus (December 1999), DfEE
	A Report of Policy Action Team 13: Shops (1999), DoH
	A Report of Policy Action Team 14: Financial Services (1999), HM Treasury
	A Report of Policy Action Team 15: Closing the Digital Divide: Information and Communication Technologies in Deprived Areas (February 2000), DTI
	A Report of Policy Action Team 1: Jobs (2000), DfEE
	A Report of Policy Action Team 8: Anti-Social Behaviour (March 2000)
	A Report of Policy Action Team 12: Young People (March 2000)
	A Report of Policy Action Team 16: Learning Lessons (March 2000)
	A Report of Policy Action Team 17: Joining It Up Locally (February 2000), DETR
	A Report of Policy Action Team 4: Neighbourhood Management (April 2000)
	A Report of Policy Action Team 18: Better Information (April 2000)
	Minority Ethnic Issues in Social Exclusion and Neighbourhood Renewal—A guide to the work of the Social Exclusion Unit and the Policy Action Teams so far (June 2000)
	Opportunity for all—one year on: making a difference (November 2000), DSS
	National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal—Policy Action Team Audit (January 2001)
	A New Commitment to Neighbourhood Renewal—National Strategy Action Plan (January 2001)
	Preventing Social Exclusion (March 2001)
	New Deal for Communities Annual Review 2000–01 (September 2001), NRU
	Opportunity for all—making progress: third annual report (September 2001), DWP
	All 18 Policy Action Team Reports are summarised in: XNational Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal. Policy Action Team report summaries: a compendium".
	(b) White Paper
	Bringing Britain Together: A National Strategy for Neighbourhood Renewal (September 1998)
	The Urban White Paper XOur towns and cities: the future—Delivering an urban renaissance" (November 2000) DETR.

Development Land Trusts

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will make a statement on his Department's policy towards development land trusts.

Sally Keeble: holding answer Tuesday, 26 February 2002
	XDevelopment Land Trusts" is not a term that the department is aware of. If my hon. Friend would care to write to me, I will investigate further.

Deaths at Work

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many deaths at work occurred in London in 2001.

Alan Whitehead: Twenty six employees and self-employed people were fatally injured at work in Greater London in 2001.

Planning Inquiries

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will set out the criteria by which a public inquiry on planning is designated as a major inquiry.

Stephen Byers: A Code of Practice, XPreparing for Major Inquiries in England" outlines procedures for handling major inquiries under the Planning Acts in England. The Code is set out in Annex 4 of DETR Circular 5/2000 XPlanning Appeals: Procedures (Including Inquiries into Called-in Planning Applications)".
	Paragraph 4 of the Code indicates that it is intended for application in cases where the development proposal is of major public interest because of its national or regional implications, or the extent or complexity of the environmental, safety, technical or scientific issues involved, and where for these reasons there are a number of third parties involved as well as the applicant and the local planning authority.

Housing

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  what information his Department has collated on the proportion of former council tenants who purchased a property on the open market with the aid of a cash incentive scheme grant and who were subsequently unable to maintain their mortgage payments;
	(2)  what proportions of local authority properties released for letting as a result of the cash incentive scheme in each Government office region in each of the past four years were let to (a) a homeless household, (b) a transfer applicant and (c) a waiting list applicant.

Sally Keeble: Forty six local authorities have been running cash incentive schemes in 2001–02. The detailed information requested is not available centrally.

Housing

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will commission research to update the Review of the Cash Incentive Scheme 1994–97.

Sally Keeble: Two substantial research programmes have already been carried out into the Cash Incentive Scheme. Both showed that Cash Incentive Schemes could play a valuable part in freeing up council housing for households in housing need and in supporting moves into home ownership. We have no plans at present for any further research work on these Schemes.

Housing

Brian Iddon: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list the banding status of local housing authorities since performance bandings in the Housing Investment Programme were first introduced.

Sally Keeble: I am arranging for a copy of a table showing the performance banding assessments for all housing authorities given in the annual Housing Investment Programme exercise since these were first published in 1997 to be placed in the Libraries of the House. Six authorities—Bolton, Derby, Ipswich, New Forest, Portsmouth and Southampton—have been assessed in the top performance band in each of the five years.

Housing

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the average management costs are for large scale voluntary transfer housing associations in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Sally Keeble: The Department does not hold this information.

Housing Transfers

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much expenditure has been incurred by each local authority in transferring its stock to RSLs; and what he estimates the cost will be in (a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04.

Sally Keeble: The Department does not hold this information.

Introductory Tenancies

Margaret Moran: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many introductory tenancies have been terminated on the grounds of (a) antisocial behaviour and (b) rent arrears each year since their introduction.

Sally Keeble: This information is not collected centrally.

Property Management

Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he intends to consult on how to tackle poor standards amongst certain managers of property let on residential long leases; and if he will make a statement.

Sally Keeble: My Department intends to issue a consultation paper entitled XImproving the Standard of Residential Leasehold Management" on Friday 5 April. The paper is a response to widespread concern about the variable standards of management in the residential leasehold sector. It explores various options for improving standards, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages.
	The Government is issuing this paper to stimulate a constructive and informed debate which will assist us in making our decision. Copies of the paper will be placed in the House Library.

Noise Insulation

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what requirements for noise insulation exist in the case of the conversion of residential dwellings into a larger number of units.

Sally Keeble: The sound insulation between dwellings is controlled under Part E of the Building Regulations. Building Regulations 5 and 6 deal with Material change of use and sub-paragraphs 5(g) and 6(e) make it clear that Part E applies when a building which contains at least one dwelling undergoes a change of use such that it contains a greater or lesser number of dwellings than it did previously.

Starter Homes Initiative

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  if he will list (a) the areas and (b) the number of households within each area which have benefited from the Starter Homes Initiative so far;
	(2)  what the outturn expenditure so far incurred each year under the Starter Homes Initiative by his Department is;
	(3)  what the estimated public expenditure expected to be incurred each year under the Starter Homes Initiative by his Department is.

Stephen Byers: holding answers Thursday, 21 March 2002
	We have provided #250 million for the Starter Home Initiative over the three years 2001–02 to 2003–04. Outturn expenditure figures for 2001–02 and the numbers of key worker households that have benefited are not available at present.
	Following the allocations in September 2001, schemes have been set up in local areas; priorities have been agreed with employers; and applicants have been assessed and instructed to select properties.

Regional Assemblies

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much the Government contributed to each of the regional assemblies in the last year for which figures are available.

Alan Whitehead: In 2001–02, the Government is contributing #500,000 to each voluntary regional assembly.

Regional Assemblies

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to establish regional assemblies in England; and what the implications will be for the shire counties.

Alan Whitehead: The forthcoming Regional Governance White Paper will set out our proposals for elected regional assemblies for England, including the implications for local government.

Regional Assemblies

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much the regional assembly board in the South West is paid; and what payments members are entitled to.

Alan Whitehead: This is a matter for the Assembly which is a voluntary body.

Regional Assemblies

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what role the South West Regional Assembly has in determining Government policy in the South West.

Alan Whitehead: The South West Regional Assembly has an important role in the region in both scrutinising the regional development agency and in acting as a strategic focal point for the region. The Government is keen to take account of the Assembly's view, but there is no direct role in determining Government policy in the South West.

Regional Assemblies

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much funding the regional assembly in the South West receives from (a) Government and (b) local sources.

Alan Whitehead: The South West Regional Assembly (SWRA) is a voluntary body funded by local authorities and others in the region. Last year the Government announced #500,000 worth of funding for the SWRA as part of the #15 million fund for regional chambers over three years. The SWRA have recently submitted their plans for 2002–03 and 2003–04 amounting to a bid for #1.2 million from the fund. Other elements of the Assembly's budget are a matter for the Assembly.

Regional Assemblies

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what type of projects in the South West Regional Development Agency's area the regional assembly may (a) reject and (b) recommend.

Alan Whitehead: The assembly has no role in the SWRDA's decisions on projects.

Regional Assemblies

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what criteria he has set for joint working between regional development agencies and regional assemblies; and which is the lead organisation.

Alan Whitehead: The Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 allowed for the Secretary of State to issue directions to require a RDA to have regard, in formulating and reviewing its strategy, to any views expressed by the chamber. No directions have been issued under this provision as the voluntary arrangements between the RDAs and chambers have precluded the need for this.

Regional Assemblies

Ian Liddell-Grainger: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what role the regional assembly has in scrutinizing the working of regional development agencies; and if the regional assembly may turn down recommendations made by regional development agencies.

Alan Whitehead: The Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 allowed for the Secretary of State to designate a voluntary grouping of stakeholders in the region as the regional chamber for the regional development agency (RDA), and each region now has a designated chamber (or assembly). It also allowed for the Secretary of State to issue directions to require a RDA to have regard, in formulating and reviewing its strategy, to any views expressed by the chamber. No directions have been issued under this provision as the voluntary arrangements between RDAs and chambers have precluded the need for this.

e-Government

Barbara Follett: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to pay grant to (a) provide e-voting pilots and (b) help local authorities achieve the vision of e-Government set out in their implementing electronic Government statements.

Nick Raynsford: As part of the package of funding previously announced under the #350 million Local Government On-Line (LGOL) Programme, I have today laid before the House a Special Grant Report containing powers for my Department to Pay #4.1 million of grant to provide 15 e-voting pilots, #200,000 to each local authority that has submitted a satisfactory Implementing Electronic Government (IEG) Statement (to support the work set out in that Statement), and a further #200,000 to authorities that submit a satisfactory updated IEG and that demonstrate they have used the first #200,000 to good effect.
	The Report will also enable #50,000 of grant to be paid to fund the dissemination of best practice from the e-government pathfinders, and allow the 24 LGOL funded e-government pathfinders to continue, where necessary, past 31 March 2002 in order to complete their pioneering work.

Arms-length Management

Kelvin Hopkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much his Department estimates the average local authority will spend in setting up an arms-length management organisation, with specific reference to (a) employment or purchase of legal and other professional, (b) new accommodation, (c) new staff and (d) regrading of existing posts.

Sally Keeble: We have made no estimates of these costs, which will depend on each authority's circumstances. In 2001 a working group chaired by the Local Government Association, in which my Department participated, developed and published model legal documentation for arms length housing management organisations (ALMOs), so helping to reduce authorities' individual legal costs. We will continue to work closely with authorities and the local government associations to ensure that ALMOs are established and operate efficiently.

Departmental Leak Inquiry

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if the leak inquiry being undertaken by the Permanent Secretary has been completed; and if he will publish the findings.

Stephen Byers: holding answer Monday, 25 March 2002
	The internal investigation into apparent leaks from DTLR between 11 and 14 February has been completed. Reports on internal investigations are not published. Consideration is being given to whether disciplinary action should be taken against any member of staff as a result of this investigation in accordance with procedures in the DTLR Staff Handbook.

Self-funding Safety Camera Project

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many statements his Department has issued to counter mis-reporting of its self-funding safety camera project in the media, since it was launched in April 2000.

Alan Whitehead: There have been two press releases (on 13 August 2001 and 3 December 2001) which mention the results from the pilot scheme of camera funding.
	No record is kept of oral statements made by the press office to the media.

Research and Policy Programmes

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what changes to the management of research and policy programmes in his Department (a) have taken place since May 1997 and (b) are planned.

David Jamieson: The Department continues to modernise and improve the approach taken to the management of research and policy programme, through a wide variety of means. It is not possible to list separately, all projects which contribute to this aim over the period specified.

Public Engagements

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will list his public engagements since 8 October 2001.

Stephen Byers: I have carried out engagements across the country and in Europe.

Ministerial Meetings

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when he last met (a) Ian McAllister and (b) Ian Coucher.

Alan Whitehead: It is not the normal practice of the Government to release details of meetings or discussions with private individuals or companies.

Reports

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to the answer of 13 March 2002, Official Report, column 1090W, on reports, if he will place a copy of the standard terms and conditions referred to in the Library.

Alan Whitehead: The information requested has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

HSE

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what technical support contracts were awarded by the Health and Safety Executive between 1 January and 31 December 2000.

Alan Whitehead: HSE has a number of Framework Agreements with various suppliers of technical support services. These are listed in Annex 1 together with the number of jobs and the value of work undertaken by the supplier(s) for HSE during the specified period.
	In addition to the work carried out under these Framework Agreements, a number of individual pieces of technical support work were contracted during the period 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2000 and are listed at Annex 2.
	Both Annexes have been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Correspondence

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the target time will be in 2002–03 for (a) ministers to reply to letters from hon. Members and (b) officials in his Department to reply to letters received directly from members of the public.

Alan Whitehead: This Department's target for 2002–03 is for Ministers to respond to 76 per cent. of letters from hon. Member within 15 working days and 90 per cent. within 20 working days. For letters received directly from members of the public, the target for the centre of the Department for 2002–03 is for officials to respond within 15 working days. Our executive agencies also have a 15 working days target for such correspondence, with the exception of the Rent Service (five days), the Fire Service College (seven days) and the Driving Standards Agency (10 days).

Human Rights Act

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many cases have been brought against his Department under the Human Rights Act 1998; and what has been the cost in (a) legal fees to defend cases and (b) compensation payments.

Alan Whitehead: We do not collect central records of all cases in which the Human Rights Act 1998 is relied on. Human rights are now integrated in the general law and are rarely the sole basis for a challenge. We do monitor centrally those cases which we consider may be of particular significance to this department. We have recorded 68 cases to date.
	We do not collect information centrally about the costs to public funds, legal fees or compensation payments in cases that include a human rights issue. In most cases it will be difficult to single out associated costs relating to the human rights element.

Public Service Agreement

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions which public service agreement targets scheduled to be met in 2002 will not be achieved by the due date.

Alan Whitehead: Information about progress on PSA targets will be published in the department's 2002 Departmental Annual Report.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many people employed by his Department under the New Deal for Young People in each of the last four years have subsequently (a) found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks and (b) returned to jobseeker's allowance or other benefits.

Alan Whitehead: This information is not held by this Department.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many people have been employed by his Department in each of the last three years under (a) the New Deal for Young People, (b) the New Deal for the Over 50s and (c) the New Deal for Lone Parents; and at what cost, listed by category, to public funds.

Alan Whitehead: This Department and its agencies have employed 77 New Dealers to date. Records are not kept centrally of the separate categories.
	New Deal recruits take up existing vacancies so extra costs to public funds are limited to the subsidy, where appropriate, and any additional training and development which may be needed. These amounts are not held centrally.

Creche Facilities

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what creche facilities are provided by his Department; and at what cost.

Alan Whitehead: The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (Central) currently provides 12 subsidised nursery places in two London nurseries run by Westminster Children's Society and subsidises four nursery places for DTLR(C) staff in Hastings. In 2001–02 the Department also, exceptionally, paid subsidy on the first year costs of 4.5 places for DTLR(C) staff in Temple Quay, Bristol.
	The DTLR also participates in the Westminster Holiday Playscheme. In 2001–02, DTLR staff took up 51 places on the scheme.
	The Department's budget for 2001–02 for the provision of the subsidised element of its childcare provision was #50,600. The Department pays approximately 45 per cent. of the cost of places at the London nurseries—parents meet the remaining proportion. Places at the holiday playschemes are 50 per cent. subsidised by the Department.
	The Department is conducting a review of childcare provision in DTLR(C), which will make recommendations on a range of options—including childcare vouchers.

Ministerial Private Offices

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the running costs were of (a) his Ministers' private offices, separately identifying expenditure on staff and (b) his Department in each year from May 1997 to the nearest date for which the information is available.

Alan Whitehead: (a) The table shows the total administration and pay expenditure on Ministers' Private Offices. The figures for the years prior to 2001–02 are in cash terms and relate to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions prior to changes in Departmental responsibilities following the last election. The forecast for 2001–02 is on a resource basis.
	(b) The running costs for the Department have been published in the individual years' appropriation accounts and resource accounts, which are available in the Libraries of the House.
	
		Administration costs expenditure -- #000
		
			  1997–98 Expenditure 1998–99 Expenditure 1999–2000 Expenditure 2000–01 Expenditure 2001–02 Forecast 
		
		
			 Private office total n/a 2,475 2,475 2,517 2,132 
			 of which Pay n/a 1,371 1,498 1,597 1,309

Departmental Procedures

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if it is the policy of his Department for him to be consulted about (a) the discussions on the resignation of a senior official, (b) a decision to secure the resignation of a senior official, and (c) a decision to suspend a senior official.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 7 March 2002
	Staffing and disciplinary matters within the Department are handled in accordance with the DTLR Staff Handbook, which reflects the provisions of the Civil Service Management Code. The Permanent Secretary informs or consults me as appropriate within this framework in relation to senior staffing matters.

Jo Moore

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether Jo Moore received a one-off payment from public funds following her resignation.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 4 March 2002
	Personnel matters of this kind are a confidential matter between the individual and the Department.

Jo Moore

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions whether Jo Moore is employed by his Department.

Stephen Byers: holding answer 4 March 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the Statement I made to the House on 26 February 2002.

Jo Moore

Mark Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what severance package was offered to Ms Jo Moore as a result of her resignation.

Stephen Byers: Personnel details of this kind are a confidential matter between the individual and the Department.

Press Office

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions, pursuant to his reply of 19 March, if he will list the Government departments to which press officers leaving his Department since June 2001 have transferred.

Stephen Byers: DTLR press officers have transferred to the following government departments or agencies:
	Cabinet Office;
	Home Office;
	Office of Fair Trading;
	Health and Safety Executive; and
	British National Space Centre.

Press Office

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if Ian Jones is suspended on full pay.

Stephen Byers: I understand that Mr. Jones is currently suspended on full pay pending a decision whether to bring disciplinary charges against him. This decision will be taken in due course following the procedures laid down in the DTLR Staff Handbook.

Press Office

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions who was between Mr. Ian Jones and Sir Richard Mottram in the reporting line of the former at the time of his suspension.

Alan Whitehead: holding answer Tuesday, 12 March 2002
	The acting Director of Communication.

Departmental Filler Advertisements

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  how many television filler advertisements his Department produced in 2001; and how many it intends to produce in 2002;
	(2)  how much air-time was allotted to his Department's television filler advertisements, indicating the channels used, in 2001; and how much air-time it expects to be allotted in 2002.

Alan Whitehead: The Department has produced eight new TV fillers in the financial year 2001–02. Five of these cover road safety and three, which were modifications of previous TV advertising, cover fire safety. We have also updated five existing fire safety fillers. The total cost committed was #219,745.
	The eight new fillers will be launched at the beginning of the new financial year and we will monitor their success to inform future strategy, including the need to produce additional films.
	Figures returned by TV stations indicate an estimated total of 19,765 transmissions will have been secured by the end of March 2002, equivalent to #3.2 million worth of airtime. Coverage was achieved on BBC, ITV, Channel 5 and various satellite channels.
	We expect the value of airtime received to increase in the next financial year as our research has indicated that TV stations are more receptive to newer films.

Departmental Filler Advertisements

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions 
	(1)  how much air-time was allotted to his Department's radio filler advertisements, indicating the radio stations used, in 2001; and how much air-time it expects to be allotted in 2002;
	(2)  how many radio filler advertisements his Department produced in 2001; and how many it intends to produce in 2002;
	(3)  how much of his Department's road safety publicity budget was spent on producing radio filler advertisements in 2001; and how much it intends to spend on producing radio filler advertisements in 2002.

Alan Whitehead: In the financial year 2001–02 the department committed #21,545 for producing two radio fillers for road safety which were launched a month ago. We intend to commit an estimated #50,000 in 2002–03 to produce up to five radio fillers for fire safety campaigns.
	The Department's previous fillers (as DETR) secured at least 1,000 transmissions to publicise foot and mouth information and the role of the Drinking Water Inspectorate. Actual transmissions will be higher but not all stations provide returns. It is too early to know the number of transmissions secured by the new road safety fillers.
	We expect increased coverage in 2002–03 as the number of our fillers and radio use of them increases. Due to commercial sensitivity, we are unable to provide details of which stations have aired fillers.

Road Safety Publicity

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much of his Department's road safety publicity budget was spent on television campaigns in 2001; and how much it intends to spend on television campaigns in 2002.

Alan Whitehead: The Department committed approximately #5.2 million to its Think! road safety television campaigns in 2001–02. It is expected that a similar amount will be committed in 2002–03.

Road Safety Publicity

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much money his Department spent on road safety publicity in 2001; and how much it intends to spend in 2002.

Alan Whitehead: The Department committed approximately #12.9 million to the Think! road safety campaign in 2001–02. A budget of #13.4 million has been agreed for 2002–03.

Road Safety Publicity

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much of his Department's road safety publicity budget was spent on radio campaigns in 2001; and how much it intends to spend on radio campaigns in 2002.

Alan Whitehead: The Department committed approximately #2.2 million to radio campaigns in the year 2001–02. It is expected that a similar amount will be committed in 2002–03.

Press Releases

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many press releases his Department's press office has released in support of its self-funding safety camera project, since it was launched in April 2000.

Alan Whitehead: There have been two press notices concerning the netting off scheme for safety cameras since that date. On 13 August 2001, my Department announced new rules on visibility and the results from the first year of the pilot scheme. On 3 December 2001 new rules on the colour of cameras was announced. The notes to editors contained the previously published figures.
	A press notice on 26 July 2001 made mention of speed cameras as a means of cutting speeding.

Press Releases

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many press releases were issued by his Department's press office in 2001 (a) on road safety topics and (b) on other topics.

Alan Whitehead: (a) DETR (central)/DTLR (central)
	Road Safety topics—31
	(b) DETR (central)/DTLR (central)
	Other topics—531.

WORK AND PENSIONS

Retirement Ages

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the retirement ages that apply to the employees of his Department and its agencies, including how many and which categories of employees are affected by each; and if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on flexible retirement.

Malcolm Wicks: All staff in the Department other than the Senior Civil Service, a total of 129,342 (99 per cent.) can elect to remain in employment until age 65. At present the retirement age for staff in the Senior Civil Service is set by the Cabinet Office at 60, although there is the option to retain members beyond the age of 60 if it is judged to be in the public interest and the Department is satisfied about the fitness and efficiency of the individual to carry out his or her duties.
	We are committed to ending age discriminatory practices and Government ministers, through the Cabinet Office, are actively working towards removing the current barriers for members of the Senior Civil Service.

Pensioners

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many retirement pensioners are receiving (a) housing benefit and (b) council tax benefit in (i) Great Britain and (ii) each region of Great Britain.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is in the table.
	
		Retirement pensioners receiving housing benefit and council tax benefit in Great Britain and by region: May 2000
		
			 Region Retirement pensioners receiving housing benefit Retirement pensioners receiving council tax benefit 
		
		
			 Great Britain 1,490,000 2,153,000 
			 North East 93,000 130,000 
			 North West 189,000 289,000 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 147,000 209,000 
			 East Midlands 99,000 150,000 
			 West Midlands 150,000 232,000 
			 East 125,000 183,000 
			 London 176,000 223,000 
			 South East 155,000 216,000 
			 South West 103,000 161,000 
			 Wales 71,000 112,000 
			 Scotland 182,000 248,000 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The figures are based on a 1 per cent. sample and are subject to sampling error.
	2. The data refer to people claiming housing benefit, who may be single people, or one of a couple or a family. More than one person claiming can live in one property, for example two or more adults in a flat or house share arrangement.
	3. The figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.
	4. The totals may not sum due to rounding.
	5. Retirement pensioners are defined as people where either they and/or their partner are receiving state retirement pension.
	Source:
	Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, annual 1 per cent. sample, taken in May 2000.

Child Poverty

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will provide the basis for ministers' calculations concerning the number of children who have been lifted out of poverty by the measures introduced by his Government; and what assessment he has made of how many children would be lifted out of poverty by such measures if the take-up rate of social security benefits was 100 per cent.

Dawn Primarolo: I have been asked to reply.
	As a result of personal tax and benefit measures announced in the last Parliament there are an estimated 1.2 million fewer children living in households with incomes below 60 per cent. of the median (after housing costs) than there otherwise would have been. Families with children have very high take-up rates for social security benefits. It would make very little difference whether estimated or 100 per cent. take-up rates were used to calculate the impact of tax and benefit measures on child poverty.

Bereavement Benefit

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, 
	(1)  pursuant to his answer of 25 February 2002, ref. 32742, Official Report, column 771W, how many complaints he has received on this subject;
	(2)  pursuant to his answer of 25 February 2002, Official Report, column 771W, ref. 32742, if he will make a statement on form BD8.

Malcolm Wicks: Bereavement Benefits were introduced on 9 April 2001 and are available to both men and women for the first time. They concentrate the help available where and when it is needed most, on immediate needs and on families with children.
	Form BD8, registration of notification of death, which is issued by registrars to bereaved people for social security purposes, was amended to incorporate the new bereavement benefits introduced from April 2001.
	We have received no complaints about form BD8.

Performance Targets

David Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what performance targets he has set for the (a) Appeals Service, (b) Disability and Carers Service and (c) Child Benefit Centre for 2002–03.

Alistair Darling: The targets I have set the Appeals Service, the Disability and Carers Service and Child Benefit Centre are given below.
	Further information on the Appeals Service plans for 2002–03 is contained in their individual business plan, which has been published today. Copies have been placed in the Library.
	Business plans for the Disability and Carers Service and Child Benefit Centre will be published shortly.
	The Appeals Service Targets 2002–03
	Waiting Times
	The average waiting time for an appeal to be heard will be no more than 14 weeks from the time of receipt by the Appeals Service;
	The number of cases over 24 weeks old as at 1 April 2002, will be reduced by at least 30 per cent. by 31 March 2003;
	For cases returned by the Commissioner, the average waiting time for an appeal to be re-heard will be no more than 10 weeks from the date of return to the Appeals Service in at least 75 per cent. of cases.
	Local Variations
	The range of waiting time variations between our local offices will be reduced by a factor of at least 5 per cent. per annum over a two-year period.
	
		Disability and carers service targets 2002–03
		
			  Normal rules claims Special rules claims Renewal claims Reconsiderations Supersessions Appeals Accuracy (%) 
		
		
			 Disability Living Allowance (DLA) 43 days 8 days 32 days 39 days 49 days 40 days 96 
			 Attendance Allowance (AA) 27 days 8 days 23 days 38 days 38 days 40 days 96 
			 Invalid Care Allowance (ICA) 32 days n/a n/a 95% in 70 days n/a 40 days 95 
		
	
	Note:
	Normal rules claims: Claims on which a qualifying period must be served before benefit can be awarded.
	Special rules claims: Claims on which no qualifying period has to be served before benefit can be awarded because the claimant is terminally ill and has a life expectancy of less than six months.
	Renewal claims: Claims to renew an existing award of benefit that was made for a finite period. This can be made up to six months before the expiry of the existing award.
	Reconsiderations: Applications for review of an initial decision where the application is made on Xany grounds" (i.e. dissatisfaction) within one month of the dates of the original decision.
	Supersessions: Applications for review of an initial decision where the application is made more than one month after the initial decision.
	Appeals: Any case where an independent Tribunal looks afresh at a decision.

Ms Y. Allen

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reasons Ms Y. Allen of Salcombe, Devon was not informed when undertaking a two-year therapeutic counselling course under the new deal scheme that funding would be awarded for the first year only and that only outline sources of alternative funding would be available for the second year; and if he will make a statement as to the impact on (a) employers and (b) new deal participants of funding courses for less than 12 months.

Nick Brown: The administration of the New Deal is a matter for the Chief Executive of the Employment Service, Leigh Lewis. I have asked him to reply to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Clare Dodgson to Anthony Steen dated 11 February 2002
	As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Minister of State has asked me to reply direct to your letter of 12 December 2001, enclosing one from Ms Yvonne Allen of 23 Round Berry Drive, Salcombe, Devon, concerning the funding of her course. This is something that falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Operating Officer of the Agency.
	I was naturally concerned to learn of the difficulties Ms Allen is facing. To enable me to respond fully to the issues raised, I contacted Diana Ross, the Regional Director for the South West, and asked her to look into this matter for me.
	It may be helpful if I first provide some background information. As you may be aware, Ms Allen undertook the Education and Training Opportunity option which is available to clients taking part in the New Deal for 25plus initiative. To be eligible for the provision clients must be over the age of 25, unemployed and at the time Ms Allen commenced New Deal 25plus, claiming Jobseeker's Allowance for two years or more.
	Ms Ross tells me that prior to starting her training Ms Allen agreed an Individual Training Plan with her New Deal Personal Adviser. This states that her objective was to complete the Advanced Certificate in Therapeutic Counselling and gives the dates of the funding, which are from September 2000 to June 2001.
	I understand that after completing this funded opportunity, Ms Allen was then invited to discuss her next steps towards finding work with her New Deal Personal Adviser, Fiona Cardrick. At this point, Ms Allen expressed a wish to pursue further training to gain the Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling. Fiona explained that as Ms Allen had already received a year's funding under the Education and Training Opportunity option, she was not eligible for further funding through New Deal. I should add that since New Deal began, it has always been the clearly stated policy to offer funding under the Education and Training Opportunity option for a maximum of one year. I can confirm that Ms Allen has received the maximum amount of funding allowed for participants on this option and that she was made aware of the limitations on funding at the outset.
	I understand that Ms Allen is currently considering other sources of funding and has had further discussions with Fiona Cardrick, her Personal Adviser about her next steps.
	I am sorry to send what I know will be a disappointing reply, but I hope it is helpful in clarifying the situation.

Guardian's Allowance

David Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will change the conditions for receiving Guardian's Allowance.

Malcolm Wicks: Guardians Allowance (GA) is currently paid to people bringing up a child whose parents have either died, or where there is a surviving parent who cannot be traced, or who is serving a prison sentence of five years or more.
	From 1 April 2002, we will extend entitlement to GA to those caring for children with a surviving parent who has been ordered by a court to be detained in a hospital, or sentenced to a term of imprisonment for two years or more. This will help to allow more children to remain within their extended family.

Correspondence

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, when he will reply to the letter of 17 January from the hon. Member for Fareham, concerning Mrs. McDonald.

Maria Eagle: I replied to the hon. Member on 25 March 2002.

Minimum Income Guarantee

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many pensioners are claiming the minimum income guarantee in the Clwyd, South constituency.

Nick Brown: As at November 2001, there were 2,500 Minimum Income Guarantee claimants in the parliamentary constituency of Clwyd South.
	Source: 
	Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry November 2001.

Long-Stay Patients (Benefits)

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, 
	(1)  what considerations led to the figure of #14.50 allocated to those in long-stay hospitals who are in receipt of a state benefit;
	(2)  when the last review was carried out into benefit receipt for patients in long-stay hospitals; and whether there are plans to review the system in the near future.

Maria Eagle: holding reply 21 March 2002
	We have considered carefully the impact of the current rules which reduce certain benefits paid to pensioners and people of working age after six weeks of hospitalisation. The down rating of benefits preserves the principle that the State should not make double provision. It also recognises that a substantial number of people leave hospital before six weeks.
	We consider the six week rule strikes a fair balance between what the state should provide financially and the provision individuals should make for themselves, however, we also recognise that people have on-going financial commitments whilst in hospital. We therefore announed on 5 March 2002 that we have decided to extend the period before benefits are downrated by a further seven weeks to the 13 week stage. This will mean that people previously affected by the six week rule will be able to keep their benefits untouched if their period of stay in hospital is under 13 weeks. This will account for the majority of stays.
	We will introduce this change to coincide with the introduction of Pension Credit.
	The hospital personal allowance, currently #14.50 per week, is intended to provide for small personal items not provided by the hospital and is set by legislation. The amount is currently set as a percentage of Retirement Pension, which is reviewed every year. Benefit is restricted to this amount because, generally speaking, the National Health Service can be said to have assumed, to a large degree, the responsibility of providing for patients who have spent more than 52 weeks in hospital. There are no plans to change the amount by which benefits are reduced for hospital inpatients who have been in hospital for more than 52 weeks.

PFI/PPPs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the (a) private finance initiative and (b) public private partnership projects which have been delayed.

Alistair Darling: None of the Department's 10 PFI/PPP projects have been delayed beyond the expected or forecast contract close date.
	Payments to contractors under PFI are not usually made until the service is available. As I explained in my statement 20 March, Official Report, column 316W, that in one case, developing the new Child Support computer system, testing work is not yet complete. The Department will not pay EDS for the system until it meets the standard required.

New Deal

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the (a) number and (b) proportion of participants in the New Deal for Young People who have left the scheme for unknown destinations.

Nick Brown: Figures on young people who leave the New Deal for unknown destinations are contained in the regularly published Statistical First Releases which are available in the Library.

Energy Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on energy costs incurred by his Department in each of the last 10 years.

Nick Brown: I refer the right hon. Member to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Rural Affairs (Alun Michael) on 19 March 2002, Official Report, Volume 382, column 268W.

Celebrations

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements his Department has made to celebrate (a) St. Patrick's Day, (b) St. George's Day, (c) St. Andrew's Day and (d) Her Majesty the Queen's Golden Jubilee; and how his Department celebrated St. David's Day.

Malcolm Wicks: There are certain days of the year known as Xnamed days" when the Union flag must be flown from Government buildings. The days include St. David's day (in Wales), St. George's day (in England), St. Andrew's day (in Scotland) but not St. Patrick's day. In the Department for Work and Pensions there are no celebrations other than raising the Union flag.
	Consideration is being given to the Union flag flying protocol for the Jubilee. The Union flag will fly on Coronation Day (2 June), as this is a named day.
	I should also like to refer the hon. Member to the reply the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport gave to the hon. Member for South Suffolk (Mr. Yeo) on 11 February 2002, Official Report, columns 58–59W. In the Department for Work and Pensions all staff will be given the additional public holiday on 3 June 2002 to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Minimum Income Guarantee

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate how many of the single pensioners who fail to take up their entitlement to the minimum income guarantee are aged 80 years or above.

Nick Brown: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available can be found in the publication XTake Up of Income Related Benefits: Statistics for 1999–2000", copies of which are available in the Library.

Working Families Tax Credit

Andy King: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps have been taken by his Department to ensure that the tapers determining the amount of housing and council tax benefit to which the recipients of working families tax credit are entitled do not result in a lower income in work after rent and council tax than out of work after receiving 100 per cent. housing benefit and council tax benefit.

Malcolm Wicks: holding reply 25 January 2002
	We are transforming the welfare system from a passive organisation paying out benefits to an active system that fights poverty, creates opportunity and helps people become self-sufficient.
	In support of these aims we are ensuring that work pays. The Working Families Tax Credit and the National Minimum Wage have for the first time guaranteed a minimum income for working families with children. These measures together guarantee that every family with children where at least one person is working 35 hours a week will receive a minimum income of #225 a week, or almost #12,000 a year.
	Entitlement to Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit is assessed by comparing a person's net income, less income disregards, with the amount they would receive on Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance. For each pound that their income exceeds this level, the amount of benefit payable is reduced by fixed tapers. For people moving from welfare into work these tapers ensure they are better off.
	For people in work, who receive a pay rise, the combined effect of the tapers in Working Families Tax Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit means they remain better off. If Working Families Tax Credit was not taken into account in Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit families who worked longer hours or took better paid jobs would be worse off as they would face high marginal deduction rates.

Housing Benefit Fraud

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the Department's policy towards providing incentives for local authority procedures for reducing housing benefit fraud.

Malcolm Wicks: Our immediate priority for Housing Benefit is to work with local authorities to drive up standards across the board, tackle fraud and error and promote work incentives. We have introduced a wide range of measures providing incentives for local authorities to tackle housing benefit fraud.
	In November 1997 we launched the Benefit Fraud Inspectorate to help raise standards in secure housing benefit administration. The BFI has so far published 116 reports helping local authorities to tackle weaknesses in their services and identifying and spreading good practice.
	In April 1998 we tightened the criteria for establishing fraud to prevent abuse of the Weekly Benefit Savings scheme which was originally introduced in 1993.
	In May 1998 we introduced the Verification Framework to help prevent fraud and error from entering the housing benefit system and help to detect it when it occurs. #160 million has been made available from April 2001 to fund local authorities which sign up to the Verification Framework, and over 75 per cent. of authorities have now done so.
	In April 2001 we introduced a comprehensive new anti-fraud scheme for local authorities that provides a broader range of financial incentives to prevent, detect, punish and prosecute fraud than did the old Weekly Benefit Savings scheme. To fund these two schemes we have made #180 million available since April 2001. Sixty-three authorities adopted the new scheme in April 2001 and the remaining authorities will do so in April this year.

New Deal

Irene Adams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in Paisley, North have (a) entered work and (b) are in unsubsidised employment through the New Deal Programme.

Nick Brown: The available information is in the table.
	
		
			  Number of people entering jobs in Paisley, North (up to the end of December 2001)  
			 Programme Total Unsubsidised jobs 
		
		
			 New Deal for Young People 636 585 
			 New Deal 25 plus 197 163 
			 New Deal for Lone Parents 1191 191 
			 New Deal 50 plus 1129 129 
		
	
	1 Subsidised employment is not available through the New Deal for Lone Parents or New Deal 50 plus. All jobs for these programmes are therefore unsubsidised.
	Note:
	Information at constituency level is not available for the New Deal for Disabled People and the New Deal for Partners.
	Source:
	New Deal Evaluation Database

New Deal

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions since the New Deal for Young People began, how many participants have joined the scheme (a) once, (b) twice, (c) three times and (d) more than three times.

Nick Brown: At December 2001, 741,000 people had entered the New Deal for Young People programme. Of these 104,550 clients have entered the programme twice (14 per cent. of all entrants), 14,200 (2 per cent.) have entered three times, and 1,880 (0.2 per cent) more than three times.
	Source: New Deal Evaluation Database.

Means-tested Benefits

Bob Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions by what date he estimates the number of pensioners qualifying for means-tested benefits to fall to the level that existed in 1995.

Nick Brown: The number of pensioners currently receiving one or more income related benefits is below the level in 1995, and has been in every year since 1995.

Benefits Agency (Slough)

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on each of the violent incidents that took place at the Benefits Agency Office at Slough during February.

Nick Brown: holding reply 21 March
	On 1 February at 15.25 a person forced his way through a door between the public counter into the caller staff area. He verbally threatened a member of staff and made physical contact with him (touching him on the nose) although he did not physically harm him. The police had been called immediately and they arrested the person. A review risk assessment was carried out on 4 February.
	On 15 February a male member of the public fatally stabbed a female member of the public. Police have arrested a man in connection with the incident. A further risk assessment has been carried out and recommendations sent to local management.

Winter Fuel Allowance

David Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Telford are in receipt of the winter fuel allowance.

Nick Brown: Figures for this year are not yet available. Details of last year's payments are in the Library.

Minimum Income Guarantee

Shaun Woodward: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in (a) St. Helens South, (b) St. Helens MBC area, (c) Merseyside, (d) the North West and (e) England are eligible to claim the minimum income guarantee.

Nick Brown: holding reply 21 March 2002
	Estimates of the number of people eligible for the Minimum Income Guarantee are not available below National level. Figures for the number of pensioners who may be entitled to but are not receiving the MIG are contained in the publication, XTake Up of Income Related Benefits: Statistics for 1999–2000".
	The figures in the report pre-date the MIG take up campaign in May 2000 which, up to the end of January 2002, has resulted in 128,163 additional successful claims—pensioners are on average #20 a week better off as a result.
	The table shows the number of MIG recipients as at November 2001, by area:
	
		Thousands 
		
			 Area Number of MIG claimants 
		
		
			 St. Helens South Parliamentary Constituency 3,200 
			 St. Helens MBC 6,300 
			 Merseyside 6,180 
			 North West GOR 24,540 
			 England 1,459,200 
		
	
	Source:
	Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry November 2001

Benefit Fraud

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people were prosecuted for housing benefit or council tax benefit fraud in the last year for which figures are available; how many of those prosecutions were successful; and if he will break down the succesful prosecutions by type of punishment.

Malcolm Wicks: Information on the number of people successfully prosecuted for housing benefit and council tax benefit fraud in the last year for which figures are available is in the table. Information is not held centrally on successful prosecutions by type of punishment.
	
		Fraud investigations conducted by Local Authorities (LAs) 2000–01
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Cases referred to the LA fraud/investigation section for further action 460,000 
			 Cases referred to the LA fraud/investigation section for further action that were investigated 370,000 
			 Cases where fraud was established and a Weekly Benefit Saving was claimed 100,000 
			 Cases referred by LAs for prosecution 2,300 
			 Successful prosecutions 1,100 
		
	
	Source:
	Housing Benefit Management Information System Quarterly Administration Returns April 1999 to March 2000.
	Notes:
	1. The data refers to benefit units, which may be a single person or a couple.
	2. The figures have been rounded to 2 significant figures.
	3. Data is not available for all 409 Local Authorities. These totals include estimates for Local Authorities that have not responded which are based on historical and regional data. This type of estimate is standard practice in reporting totals where there have been non-respondents.

New Deal for Young People (NAO Report)

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he intends to reply to the National Audit Office report entitled XThe New Deal for Young People".

Nick Brown: The Government's response to the National Audit Office Report XThe New Deal for Young People" and the subsequent Public Accounts Committee Report will be published in the Treasury Minute. The Treasury Officer of Accounts is responsible for publishing the Treasury Minute approximately two months following publication of the Public Accounts Committee Report.

Defaulters

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment has been made of the likely number of defaulters on grounds of principle; and what steps he is taking to address the issue.

Malcolm Wicks: No such assessment has been made. We do not accept that any non-resident parent who can afford to support their children has the right to deny children such support.
	Despite continued improvement in the rate of compliance over the last few years, at the moment, only around half of non-resident parents pay all the maintenance due or the support of their children. The aim of the Government's reforms is to see a marked increase in those numbers. The new scheme will be rigorously enforced; the simplicity of the new rules will enable the Agency to devote substantially more resources to enforcement. In the meantime, pending the start of the new scheme, I continue to look to the Agency to secure the best possible rate of compliance achievable under the current scheme.
	It is important to remember the effect of regular payments of child maintenance. It can transform the lives of lone mothers and their children; where the families are dependent on income support, providing a stable income can help lone parents into work.

Annuities

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 4 March 2002, to the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb), Official Report, column 8, on annuities, if he will set out the calculation on which his estimate of 18 million beneficiaries of the state second pension is based.

Nick Brown: holding reply 14 March 2002
	A breakdown of the 18 million people expected to gain from the introduction of the state second pension is in the table:
	
		million 
		
			 Low earners Moderate earners Carers Long-term disabled 
		
		
			 4.5 9.5 2.2 2 
		
	
	Figures for low and moderate earners were calculated by the Government Actuary's Department using an earnings distribution based on the New Earnings Survey. Estimates for carers and long-term disabled people were based on the Family Resources Survey and Department for Social Security administrative data.
	These figures are consistent with the projections contained in the report by the Government Actuary on the financial effects on the National Insurance Fund of the Child Support, Pensions and Social Security Bill 1999.

Council Tax

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 5 July 2001, Official Report, column 271W, on council tax, what proportion of pensioner households and how many pensioners in total, paid (a) more than five per cent., (b) more than 10 per cent. and (c) more than 15 per cent. of their gross income in council tax in 2000–01.

Ian McCartney: Forty per cent. of pensioner households in Great Britain paid more than 5 per cent. of their gross income (net of council tax benefit) in council tax in 2000–01, 8 per cent. of pensioner households paid more than 10 per cent., and 2 per cent. paid more than 15 per cent.
	From April 2002 this Government will be spending an extra #6 billion a year in real terms on pensioners as a result of policies, including the Minimum Income Guarantee, free TV licences and Winter Fuel Payments, introduced since 1997.
	Notes:
	1. For the purpose of this analysis, council tax is taken to be net of council tax discount and council tax benefit.
	2. These figures are from the Family Resources Survey 2000–01 (Great Britain).
	3. Gross income is net of tax credits and council tax benefit.
	4. A pensioner household is one where the head is over state pension age.
	5. The estimates are based on sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using grossing factors that control for region, council tax band, tenure and a number of demographic variables. Estimates are subject to sampling error and to variability in non-response.
	6. All percentages have been rounded to the nearest 1 per cent.

Housing Benefit Regulations

Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the proposed amendment to the Housing Benefit Regulations will be brought into force to enable an ex-owner to claim housing benefit provided five years have elapsed since he or she ceased to own a property.

Malcolm Wicks: holding reply 21 March 2002
	The regulations were amended by SI 2001 No. 487, The Housing Benefit (General) Amendment Regulations 2001, which were laid before Parliament on 27 February 2001 and came into force on 21 May 2001.

Child Support

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library a copy of (a) each of the CSA's monthly Business Information Bulletins since April 2001, (b) the CSA Board's quarterly review of its progress, (c) the CSA's Risk Management Framework and report on Risk Management and (d) the CSA's Latest Controls report from December 2001.

Malcolm Wicks: The administration of the Child Support Agency is a matter for the Chief Executive, Mr. Doug Smith. He will write to the hon. Member.

Child Support

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what consideration will be given in the new child support system to fathers who have identical incomes and costs of travel to work and (a) who have different housing costs, and (b) who have former partners who have different incomes.

Malcolm Wicks: We believe a simple scheme is the right way forward, because the complexity of the current scheme is one of the major causes of the current administrative problems. Every non-resident parent has different costs or responsibilities. Any attempt to take account of them all would lead to the reinvention of the complexity of the current formula.
	The Government accepts that some parents have special, exceptional expenses that make complete reliance on a percentage-based assessment unreasonable. That is the justification for the variations system.

Child Support

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average maintenance assessment is for child support; and what the estimated average maintenance calculation is under the new scheme.

Malcolm Wicks: This information is in the tables.
	
		Average maintenance assessment in the current Child Support Scheme
		
			 Number of qualifying children Average per week in pounds 
		
		
			 1 18.46 
			 2 24.57 
			 3 23.40 
		
	
	Source:
	5 per cent. scan of Child Support Computer System August 1998.
	
		Average maintenance calculation in the new Child Support Scheme
		
			 Number of qualifying children Average per week in pounds 
		
		
			 1 14.88 
			 2 21.80 
			 3 24.86 
		
	
	Source:
	5 per cent. scan of Child Support Computer System August 1998.

Child Support

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what factors underlay the decision to reform the child support system; and on what date the reforms will be brought into effect.

Malcolm Wicks: Research commissioned for the White Paper of July 1999, XA new contract for welfare" found that the child support system was failing the children it was set up to help. A major part of the problem is that the existing formula for assessing maintenance is too complex. As a result too few resources have been available for enforcement. Consequently currently only around half of those Non-Resident Parents with an assessment pay all of the maintenance that is due. The Government therefore decided to simplify the child support system basing it on a simple percentage of the non-resident parents net income. It will be transparent and easier to understand so allowing a more customer focused Child Support Agency to spend less time calculating maintenance and more time chasing payments.
	As far as the start date for the new scheme is concerned, I refer the hon. Member to the statement given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, on 20 March 2002, Official Report, columns 315–16W.

Child Support

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when existing cases will be brought into the new scheme for child support; how they will be treated when (a) there is an application on foot for revision or supersession, (b) the assessment is the subject of an appeal and (c) applications for an assessment are pending at the date of implementation.

Malcolm Wicks: The Government has made clear that existing cases will be brought onto the new system only after it is clear that the new scheme is operating effectively. Parents will be given advance notice of the new liability.
	If existing clients make or have made an application for revision or supersession of, or appeal against, their maintenance assessment, that application will be dealt with under current rules. If appropriate, any change will be reflected in the conversion calculation.
	Where a maintenance assessment is pending when the new scheme is introduced for new cases, it will be treated in one of two ways. If no effective date has been set, it will be processed under the new rules; if an effective date has already been set, the current scheme will apply.

Child Support

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the rate of compliance under the new child support formula; and what the present rate of compliance is.

Malcolm Wicks: The rate of compliance in the current year to January 2002, is 70.9 per cent. In the new child support scheme we expect compliance to rise to at least 75 per cent.

Child Support

Andrew Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to set up a child support council.

Malcolm Wicks: My right hon. Friend is not persuaded that there is a need for such a body.
	The Child Support Agency has set up fora for ongoing discussion with major stakeholders in the area of child support. These function well as a formal mechanism for dialogue between the Agency and the significant interested parties.

Child Support

Simon Burns: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on when the changes to the CSA will come into force.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 18 March 2002
	I refer the hon. Member to the statement given by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, on 20 March 2002, Official Report, columns 315–16W.

Child Support

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the maximum percentage is of net income that a non-resident parent can be asked to pay in child support maintenance under the CSA system for (a) one child, (b) two children and (c) three children.

Malcolm Wicks: Under the current Child Support provisions, the maximum percentage of net income that a non-resident parent can be expected to pay is 30 per cent. regardless of the number of children. This increases to 33 per cent. where the non-resident parent is paying child support maintenance arrears. Exceptionally, where the non-resident parent has failed to make or keep to an agreement to pay arrears of maintenance he or she can be required to pay up to 40 per cent.

Child Support

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list his areas of responsibility in connection with the Child Support Agency.

Malcolm Wicks: My right hon. Friend has overall responsibility for the policy and legislation in relation to child support. Day to day operation of the child support scheme is in the hands of the Child Support Agency, an Executive Agency of the Department. Its Chief Executive is accountable to my right hon. Friend, via the Permanent Secretary.

Child Support

Tim Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he last met the Solicitors' Family Law Association to discuss forthcoming changes in the Child Support Agency's maintenance formula; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: holding reply 20 March 2002
	My right hon. Friend has held no meetings with the Solicitors' Family Law Association over the last 12 months to discuss the changes in the child support system.

Zimbabwe

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what benefits are available to British citizens leaving Zimbabwe to resettle in the UK because of the internal problems in that country; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what recent discussions he has had with the Foreign Secretary about the numbers of British citizens likely to leave Zimbabwe for the UK and the impact on the social security budget; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Officials across government stay in very close contact about the situation in Zimbabwe. On 14 January 2002, there were 25,054 British nationals registered with the British High Commission in Zimbabwe. We do not know how many of these people may wish to remove to the United Kingdom as there is no requirement for them to inform the High Commission if they plan to leave Zimbabwe, or of their destination. It is not therefore possible to estimate the potential impact on the social security budget.
	British citizens leaving Zimbabwe to resettle in the United Kingdom currently have the same access to benefits as any other British citizen returning from abroad. If they claim income-related benefits within two years of arrival in the United Kingdom they must demonstrate that they are habitually resident in this country, in addition to satisfying the normal conditions of entitlement.

Departmental Sponsorship

Jim Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the financial resources and initiatives sponsored by his Department in the last 12 months for Dorset which are additional to the Government SSA grants.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is in the table.
	
		2001–02
		
			 Local authority Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit subsidy payments1 # Anti-Fraud Incentive Scheme1 # Discretionary Rent Allowance2 # Discretionary Housing Payments2 # Administration Grant # Verification Framework3 # Benefits Agency/local authority Joint Working Payments # 
		
		
			 Christchurch 7,548,315 8,000 2,527 7,574 103,261 32,311 2,700 
			 East Dorset 8,729,550 26,699 2,789 17,742 128,946 40,775 — 
			 North Dorset 8,226,478 24,101 2,259 9,905 107,762 33,596 — 
			 Purbeck 4,430,394 34,455 3,041 9,108 90,878 28,527 — 
			 West Dorset 15,308,958 66,000 4,722 8,438 211,224 68,148 4,449 
			 Weymouth & Portland 15,606,859 125,476 9,256 15,408 171,624 56,714 — 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit subsidy and anti-fraud incentive scheme figures are taken from local authority mid-year estimates and are subject to change on receipt of the 2001–02 final claims; these claims are also subject to audit.
	2. Discretionary Housing Payments replaced Discretionary Rent Allowance from 1 July 2001.
	3. Verification Framework figures are for on-going funding only, no payments for set-up costs were made to these local authorities in 2001–02.
	Sources:
	Anti-Fraud Incentive Scheme: quarterly Weekly Benefit Savings/WIB5 returns.
	Discretionary Rent Allowance: DWP circular HB/CTB S3/2001.
	Discretionary Housing Payments (DHP): DHP Estimate Forms.
	Administration Grant: DWP circular HB/CTB A4/2001.
	Verification Framework: DWP circular HB/CTB A4/2001.
	Benefits Agency/local authority Joint Working Payments: DWP Counter Fraud Investigation Branch (Joint Working Unit).

Benefit Deductions

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to (a) abolish, (b) reform and (c) freeze non-dependent deductions for housing benefit and council tax benefit.

Malcolm Wicks: For 2002–03, for the second year running, we are freezing the levels of non-dependant deductions while uprating the qualifying income thresholds. I also refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 14 November 2001, Official Report, column 787W.

Scottish Parliament

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason no devolved administration Minister attended the 2415 European Union Council of Ministers (Employment and Social Policy) meeting on 7 March; which particular suggestions or matters of concern from the Scottish Executive were raised in their absence by the UK Government delegation; and what information is being provided by his Department to guarantee effective post-council scrutiny by the European Committee of the Scottish Parliament.

Malcolm Wicks: holding reply 19 March 2002
	The composition of the UK delegation to specific Council of Ministers meetings is decided in accordance with the Concordat on the Co-ordination of EU Policy Issues.
	For information about the meeting on 7 March I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 20 March to the hon. Member for Clydesdale (Jimmy Hood). Post-council scrutiny by the European Committee of the Scottish Parliament is a matter for that Parliament and for the Scottish Executive. Reports of Council meetings are available to Scottish Executive officials and officials stand ready to provide other information in line with the provisions of the Concordat.

Job Sharing

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the extent of job sharing in his Department.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave on 26 February 2002, Official Report, column 1261W.

Housing Benefit

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions for what reason housing benefit statistics produced by his Department exclude extended payment cases.

Malcolm Wicks: Extended payments of Housing Benefit were introduced in 1996 and are available when an Income Support or an income-based Jobseeker's Allowance claim ends due to a person starting work (or increasing their hours and/or earnings) which is expected to last at least five weeks. They can be paid for four weeks and remove the uncertainty faced by many people about whether they will be able to pay their rent and council tax between the last payment of benefit and receipt of their first wages.
	As these claims are a fixed period award of Housing Benefit for up to four weeks they were originally excluded from all Housing Benefit statistics to make sure they did not inflate or distort the figures. They were, however, collected for internal use and they have been included in a footnote to tables in the Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Quarterly Summary Statistics since November 1999.

Housing Benefit

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 13 February 2002, Official Report, column 500W, on the departmental expenditure limit, to the hon. Member for Blackpool North and Fleetwood, what aspects of the administration of housing benefit and council tax benefit appeals have been transferred to the Lord Chancellor's Department.

Malcolm Wicks: The Lord Chancellor's Department has responsibility for the Social Security Commissioners. From 2 July 2001 people can appeal against a Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit decision to an independent appeal tribunal administered by the Appeals Service. A further appeal against the decision of these tribunals can be made to the Social Security Commissioners. Funds were transferred to the Lord Chancellor's Department to cover the costs of administering these appeals.

Attendance Allowance

David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if attendance allowance will be paid to claimants who are recipients of the free care for the elderly scheme due to be introduced by the Scottish Executive; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: Attendance Allowance is intended to provide a contribution towards the extra costs faced by severely disabled people as a result of their disabilities.
	In accordance with the Great Britain-wide rules which aim to avoid duplicate provision, Attendance Allowance is not paid to people living in residential care homes or nursing homes who receive financial help—which includes the provision of free personal care—with their placement from public funds.

Child Benefit Centre (Tyne and Wear)

Mark Lazarowicz: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what performance targets are in place relating to the handling of complaints and inquiries to the Child Benefit Centre at Washington, Tyne and Wear.

Malcolm Wicks: The Child Benefit Centre has performance targets for the handling of complaints and enquiries. These are published in the Child Benefit Centre's Statement of Service. The aim is to answer all complaints, whether verbal or written within seven working days. Enquiries by letter will normally be answered within 10 working days.

Pension Credit

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under what circumstances (a) two pensioners of the same sex living at the same address and (b) two pensioners of different sexes living at the same address would separately be entitled to claim the proposed pension credit.

Malcolm Wicks: There will be no provision for two members of the same sex to claim Pension Credit jointly.
	Residence at the same address will not be the sole factor in deciding whether two pensioners of different sex should claim Pension Credit separately or jointly. Rather, of particular importance is the nature of their relationship and whether or not they were living together as husband and wife in a single household unit within that building. Each case will be considered on its individual merits, in the same way as for Minimum Income Guarantee now.

Pensions

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 11 February 2002, Official Report, column 104W, on pensions, what his definition is of good information; and if this includes information on loss of entitlement to means-tested benefits.

Malcolm Wicks: The government objective is to provide information that is, and continues to be, accurate and relevant to enable people to plan effectively for their future income in retirement.
	At the point at which such information is produced, it is not possible to forecast an individual's possible entitlement to means tested benefits at state pension age.
	However, there are a number of leaflets that give information on government support to those on low incomes and the impact that other income may have on their future pension entitlement.
	These leaflets include IS20—a Guide to Income Support, MIG1L—on the Minimum Income Guarantee for people aged 60 or over, GL16—Help with your rent and GL17—Help with your council tax.

Pensions

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what reports his Department publishes on public sector pension schemes.

Malcolm Wicks: holding reply 14 March 2002
	None. Responsibility for Public Sector Schemes rests with HMT.

Pension Payment

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance is given to those approaching pensionable age as to the methods of pension payment; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: Approximately four months before reaching State Pension age (60 for a woman, age 65 for a man) an automatic claims package is issued to prospective pensioners provided the customer's current address is held on the computer.
	This contains form BR833 which sets out the options of how to make a claim for State Retirement Pension and leaflet AC1 which explains the benefits of payment straight into a bank account. The claim form gives the customer the option of payment by order book or payment straight into a bank or building society account.
	We are modernising the service we offer to pensioners and since November 2000 customers can make a claim over the phone with an experienced operator to guide them through the claim form. As part of this process callers are explained the methods of payment available i.e. either order book or payment straight into a bank or building society account. The claim form is thereby tailored to the particular circumstances of that customer and is returned for them to sign and date. All they need to do then is to send the completed form to their nearest processing centre.
	From 2003, payments directly into a bank or building society account will become the Department's normal method of payment. This is a more modern, secure and efficient way of paying benefits and pensions, already chosen by over 40 per cent. of all customers and 60 per cent. of new pensioners.
	The Department has been aware of FRS17 throughout its development, a process that has taken several years.
	Ministers and officials hold regular consultations with those involved with the pensions industry. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met representatives from the ASB on 27 February.
	There are many factors tending to increase the costs and risks faced by employers who choose to offer defined benefit occupational pension schemes including longer life expectancy and lower expected future investment returns. It is not possible to isolate the effects of FRS17 from these other factors.

Pension Payment

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements he has made to offer (a) state basic and (b) state second pension eligibility to workers earning less than the lower earnings limit from April.

Maria Eagle: Qualifying carers or disabled people who are earning less than the Lower Earnings Limit will be given automatic entitlement to State Second Pension. This will benefit approximately four million people.
	None.

Pension Payment

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what guidance he issues to companies that offer an occupational pension scheme on including pension surpluses in payments to former employees; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: Since 1986 the Inland Revenue has required pension funds which are funded in excess of 105 per cent of their liabilities to reduce their surplus. This may be done in a variety of ways, including improved benefits to scheme members, employer or employee contribution holidays and taxable refunds to the employer sponsoring the scheme. The Pensions Act 1995 requires that, before any refund is made to an employer, all current and future pensions in payment should be increased annually in line with the Retail Prices Index up to a maximum of 5 per cent., that trustees should satisfy themselves that the use of the surplus is in the interest of the members, and that members should be notified of the proposal in the manner set out in law.
	The trust deed for each pension scheme may also regulate the way that surpluses can be reduced. If the trustees propose to make a payment to the employer, and this is permitted by the trust deed, members can challenge their decision through the Occupational Pensions Regulatory Authority (Opra) if they believe that the statutory procedures have not been followed. If the trust deed does not permit payments to the employer, the trustees may apply to Opra to change the scheme rules in order to allow payment.
	My right hon. Friend has not issued formal guidance on the operation of the Pensions Act 1995. Opra issues guidance on a variety of topics. Note 3, published in 1998, deals with Opra's role in the payment of surplus.

Pension Payment

Joan Walley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to allow provision for representation of pension members on pension trustee boards.

Nick Brown: The Government is currently in the process of strengthening the law relating to the nomination and selection of trustees to ensure that every occupational pension scheme has member-nominated trustees. We do not think it was right to force schemes to have member trustees from particular categories of membership, because that would erroneously give credence to the idea that trustees have a representative role, which they do not. The duties and responsibilities of all the trustees are the same, regardless of how they come to the post.
	The timing of this work will depend on the outcome of the broader simplification review being undertaken by Alan Pickering which is due to report in June, but we remain firmly committed to increasing the number of member trustees generally.

Pension Payment

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people living in England and Wales are in private pension schemes.

Nick Brown: There are an estimated 13.2 million people of working age in England and Wales contributing to a private pension.
	Notes:
	Working age is 16–59 for women and 16–64 for men.
	Numbers are rounded to nearest 100,000.
	Estimates based on Family Resources Survey 2000–01 and may be subject to a margin of error.

Pension Payment

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his answer of 11 July 2001, Official Report, column 566W, on the Pensions Education campaign, when the summary of the quantitative tracking research on the pensions education marketing campaign will be placed in the Library.

Malcolm Wicks: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to him on 22 October 2001, Official Report, volume 373, column 54W, ref. 7901.

Pension Payment

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what methods his Department uses to identify the names and addresses of people four months away from state pension age, in order to contact them about claiming their retirement pension; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Brown: Data held by the Inland Revenue on the National Insurance Recording System is used to identify people within four months of the relevant age.
	The data is passed to the Department's Pensions Computer System (PSCS) and a claim package is issued.

Pension Payment

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the average pensioner income as a percentage of average earnings in (a) 1997–98, (b) 1998–99, (c) 1999–2000, (d) 2000–01 and (e) the last year for which figures are available.

Nick Brown: holding answer 14 March 2002
	Not all the information requested is available. The information that is available is presented in the following table.
	
		Average pensioner income as a percentage of average earnings
		
			 Year Average pensioners' incomes (a) # Average earnings (b) # (a) as percentage of (b) 
		
		
			 1997–98 209 3681 57 per cent 
			 1998–99 224 3851 58 per cent 
			 1999–2000 235 4001 59 per cent 
		
	
	Sources:
	Pensioners' Incomes Series 1999–2000, DWP, 2001, Table 1.
	New Earnings Survey 2000, ONS, 2001, Table A30.
	Notes:
	1. Average earnings estimates relate to April 1997, April 1998 and April 1999.
	2. Pensioners are defined as single (non-cohabiting) people over state pension age (65 for men, 60 for women) and couples (married or cohabiting) where the man is over state pension age.
	3. Average pensioners' incomes are defined as mean gross weekly income of all pensioner units in Great Britain and are expressed in current prices rounded up to the nearest one pound.
	4. Average earnings figures are taken from the New Earnings Survey and are defined as mean gross weekly earnings of full-time employees on adult rates, in Great Britain, whose pay for the survey period was not affected by absence, rounded to the nearest #1.
	5. Percentages have been rounded to the nearest 1 per cent.

Parliamentary Questions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the average time taken by his Department to answer (a) a named day question and (b) an ordinary written question tabled by (i) all hon. Members and (ii) the hon. Member for Northavon in (A) this and (B) the previous session.

Maria Eagle: The information for this session up to 20 March 2002 is in the table. Information for previous session is not available.
	
		
			  Average time to answer Parliamentary Questions (Days)  
			  Ordinary Written Named Day 
		
		
			 All honourable Members 12 6 
			 Hon. Member for Northavon 14 5

Age Discrimination

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his Department's policy is towards age discrimination.

Malcolm Wicks: We recognise the importance of tackling age discrimination in the workplace. We have already provided voluntary guidance to help employers adopt age positive employment practices. We are consulting extensively with employers, individuals, and expert groups and, by 2006 we will legislate against age discrimination in the workplace.
	As an employer, the Department is committed to equality and valuing diversity within its workforce, and specifically to age diversity and non-discrimination on age grounds. In support of this policy we are working to ensure that our practices will be compliant with future age legislation. The Departmental retirement age for all staff below Senior Civil Service level was increased from 60 to 65 with effect from 1 April 2000 and staff have the choice to retire at any time between these ages. All staff are positively encouraged to take appropriate development opportunities regardless of age including promotion and change of duties. We acknowledge the skills and experience of our staff and are committed to utilising these to provide the best possible public service.

Winter Fuel Payment

Ivan Henderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate how many pensioners in the Harwich constituency are (a) entitled to and (b) have taken up the winter fuel payment.

Nick Brown: I refer the hon. Member to the Written Answer I gave the hon. Member for South East Cornwall (Colin Breed) on 18 March 2002, Official Report, column 153W.

Pension-related Benefits

James Purnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of how much money would be accrued by the delay in payment of pension-related benefits, by two years in comparison to the payment of such benefits at 65 years if the retirement age were increased to 67 years.

Nick Brown: holding reply 20 March 2002
	Currently state pension age is 65 for men and between 60 and 65 for women, depending on their date of birth. From 2020 state pension age will be 65 for all.
	If the state pension age were increased to 67 in 2020–21, we estimate that the gross savings on state pension expenditure in that year would be around #6.2 billion, in 2002–03 prices.

Benefit Fraud

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what lessons have been learnt from the prosecution pilots in which DSS lawyers helped local authorities to prosecute people suspected of benefit fraud; and whether the scheme will be replaced.

Malcolm Wicks: The prosecution pilots showed that provision of legal services and advice to Local Authorities can help raise the profile of Local Authority prosecutions and encourage Local Authorities to pursue prosecutions and sanctions. The assistance provided through these pilots is just one aspect of the help being provided by the Department to Local Authorities to increase the professionalism of their investigation work.
	From April 2002, all Local Authorities will be participating in a new incentive scheme that provides greater financial support for prosecution-related work. We are also considering afresh what help Departmental solicitors might give Local Authorities who wish to impose sanctions on and, where appropriate, prosecute those who commit benefit fraud.

Age Discrimination

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what plans his Department has to introduce legislation on age discrimination in employment before the EU directive is implemented;
	(2)  what consultations his Department is having regarding the EU directive on age discrimination in employment;
	(3)  what organisations his Department is having discussions with regarding the EU directive on age discrimination in employment.

Nick Brown: The introduction of the employment related age discrimination legislation, and the consultations on its development, are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry.
	The Department for Work and Pensions leads in challenging ageism in employment with its Age Positive campaign that is vigorously promoting the business benefits of employing an age diverse workforce. The campaign focuses on the Code of Practice on Age Diversity in Employment and a wide range of research and development activities with both public and private organisations to help employers develop non-ageist employment practices that will help them prepare for the future legislation. Integral to this is the Age Positive Website (www.agepositive.gov.uk) that was launched in December.

WBS Subsidies

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the National Audit Office's comments in the Appropriation Accounts, HC335, on the fall in WBS subsidies during 2000–01; and whether the Department intends to revise the weekly benefits savings rules.

Malcolm Wicks: The Weekly Benefit Savings (WBS) scheme was introduced in April 1993 to encourage Local Authorities to undertake activity to combat benefit fraud. It is based on a system of rewards and penalties for the amount of fraud detected.
	Changes were made to the scheme in 1998 following concerns from the National Audit Office and Audit Commission that WBS was being inappropriately claimed in cases where fraud had not been established or a fraud investigation had not been properly undertaken. It was therefore decided to tighten the WBS claiming criteria and limit the amount of WBS claimed in certain circumstances.
	This tightening of the criteria was followed by a large reduction in the WBS savings scored by Local Authorities in 1998–99 and 1999–2000. To address this, increased rates of additional subsidy were made payable to Local Authorities and a reduced level of penalty was introduced in April 1999.
	In January 2000 the Department announced that it would replace WBS with a new anti-fraud incentive scheme over two years from April 2001. Sixty three Local Authorities took up the new scheme in 2001–02 with the remainder joining in April 2002.

Households Below Average Income Survey

Jim Cousins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to his Answer of 6 November 2000 to the hon. Member for Havant, Official Report, column 92W, if he will estimate the same data for each region and nation of the UK; and if he will also express the estimates as a percentage of the total numbers of pensioners and children the figures represent.

Nick Brown: Such information as is available is in the tables. However, estimates of year on year change at regional level should be viewed with caution, as sampling error may be large in relation to the change itself.
	
		Percentage of children living in households below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income by region, including the self-employed
		
			  Percentage of children 1994–951995–961996–971997–981998–99 
		
		
			 Income before housing costs 
			  
			 England 22 20 25 25 24 
			 of which 
			 North East 29 31 28 32 33 
			 North West and Merseyside 25 23 30 29 33 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 29 26 33 30 29 
			 East Midlands 25 21 23 24 24 
			 West Midlands 22 24 30 29 24 
			 Eastern 21 14 20 18 17 
			 London 23 21 24 25 25 
			 South East 13 15 18 17 14 
			 South West 19 16 22 22 22 
			 Scotland 25 25 29 28 26 
			 Wales 27 28 28 29 29 
			 Income after housing costs 
			  
			 England 32 31 34 33 33 
			 of which 
			 North East 35 36 35 38 40 
			 North West and Merseyside 33 33 38 37 40 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 35 32 37 35 36 
			 East Midlands 31 29 29 29 30 
			 West Midlands 28 33 34 36 31 
			 Eastern 31 22 29 26 27 
			 London 38 39 40 43 41 
			 South East 24 25 28 25 24 
			 South West 30 28 32 32 32 
			 Scotland 27 32 34 30 30 
			 Wales 34 36 36 36 35 
		
	
	
		Percentage of children living in households below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income by region, excluding the self-employed
		
			  Percentage of children1994–951995–961996–971997–981998–99 
		
		
			 Income before housing costs 
			  
			 England 20 19 24 24 22 
			 of which 
			 North East 28 26 27 30 31 
			 North West and Merseyside 23 22 29 29 30 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 27 25 32 29 27 
			 East Midlands 23 20 21 23 24 
			 West Midlands 20 22 27 29 24 
			 Eastern 17 13 18 16 16 
			 London 21 21 24 26 24 
			 South East 10 13 16 15 11 
			 South West 16 15 20 20 20 
			 Scotland 23 24 28 27 27 
			 Wales 26 25 26 28 27 
			 Income after housing costs 
			  
			 England 30 31 34 34 33 
			 of which 
			 North East 36 31 35 37 41 
			 North West and Merseyside 31 33 37 37 38 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 33 31 37 34 35 
			 East Midlands 29 29 28 30 31 
			 West Midlands 27 32 33 36 31 
			 Eastern 29 22 28 24 27 
			 London 38 41 43 45 42 
			 South East 22 25 29 25 23 
			 South West 27 29 32 30 31 
			 Scotland 27 32 33 30 29 
			 Wales 35 35 37 36 34 
		
	
	
		Percentage of pensioners living in households below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income by region, including the self-employed
		
			  Percentage of pensioners 1994–951995–961996–971997–981998–99 
		
		
			 Income before housing costs 
			  
			 England 21 21 21 22 23 
			 of which 
			 North East 23 28 19 21 25 
			 North West and Merseyside 24 20 22 23 24 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 23 25 25 23 25 
			 East Midlands 19 25 24 27 26 
			 West Midlands 23 22 25 24 23 
			 Eastern 21 21 20 20 24 
			 London 17 16 18 18 18 
			 South East 20 18 17 19 20 
			 South West 19 23 22 24 24 
			 Scotland 23 23 24 19 20 
			 Wales 27 24 19 23 25 
			 Income after housing costs 
			  
			 England 26 25 27 27 27 
			 of which 
			 North East 31 34 26 30 29 
			 North West and Merseyside 26 23 28 26 27 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 28 26 30 30 30 
			 East Midlands 22 26 28 29 28 
			 West Midlands 28 24 28 27 27 
			 Eastern 28 24 28 24 30 
			 London 26 27 29 28 28 
			 South East 25 24 23 24 25 
			 South West 25 26 25 29 24 
			 Scotland 28 25 28 25 26 
			 Wales 26 23 22 28 23 
		
	
	
		Percentage of pensioners living in households below 60 per cent. of contemporary median income by region, excluding the self-employed
		
			  Percentage of pensioners1994–951995–961996–971997–981998–99 
		
		
			 Income before housing costs 
			  
			 England 20 21 20 21 22 
			 of which 
			 North East 21 27 17 20 25 
			 North West and Merseyside 22 19 21 23 24 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 23 24 24 22 23 
			 East Midlands 17 24 23 26 26 
			 West Midlands 22 21 24 23 22 
			 Eastern 20 21 20 19 23 
			 London 16 16 17 19 18 
			 South East 20 18 17 19 19 
			 South West 18 22 19 24 22 
			 Scotland 21 22 22 19 19 
			 Wales 27 24 19 23 24 
			 Income after housing costs 
			  
			 England 25 25 26 27 26 
			 of which 
			 North East 29 32 26 30 28 
			 North West and Merseyside 24 22 27 26 26 
			 Yorkshire and the Humber 28 25 28 29 29 
			 East Midlands 21 26 26 29 27 
			 West Midlands 27 23 27 27 26 
			 Eastern 28 24 28 24 29 
			 London 25 26 28 28 28 
			 South East 24 24 23 24 24 
			 South West 25 25 25 29 23 
			 Scotland 25 24 27 25 26 
			 Wales 25 22 21 27 22 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) data set which is derived from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). The FRS does not include Northern Ireland.
	2. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors that control for tenure, Council Tax band and a number of other variables. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to variability in non-response. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).
	3. The estimates are presented on both a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and an After Housing Costs (AHC) basis in line with HBAI conventions. Figures are also provided including and excluding the self-employed, as research suggests that, for self-employed people, income as reported in surveys is often a poor indicator of living standards.
	4. Estimates for the numbers of pensioners and children living in households below 60 per cent. median income by region have not been provided as the FRS grossing regime does not permit the provision of reliable estimates of numbers, as distinct from percentages. This issue does not affect either GB level estimates of numbers nor regional estimates of percentages. The grossing methodology in the FRS is currently being reviewed with one aim being to resolve this issue.
	Source:
	Family Resources Survey

Benefits

Colin Breed: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people were in receipt of income related benefits in each of the last 12 years; and what the most recent available figure is for each constituency in England.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 4 March 2002
	The available information has been placed in the Library.
	
		Child Benefit Centre operational targets 2002–03
		
			 Area 2002–03 Target 
		
		
			 Child Benefit claims processing 95 per cent. completed in 36 days 
			 Child Benefit claims accuracy 98 per cent. 
			 Child Benefit change of circumstances 95 per cent. completed in 14 days 
			 Child Benefit change of circumstances accuracy 96.5 per cent. 
			 Guardians Allowance claims processing 95 per cent. completed in 80 days 
			 Teleservice—proportion of available calls answered 90 per cent. 
			 Appeals processed 92 per cent. completed in 90 days

Basic Pensions

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will change the practice of starting a pension from the Monday following a person's 60th or 65th birthday.

Nick Brown: Entitlement to Retirement Pension begins with the pay-day on or following the pensioner's 60th or 65th birthday. Changes in entitlement, for example a decrease because of a prolonged stay in hospital, also takes effect from the pay-day following the change in circumstances. The same rule applies with the termination of the award. The principle of paying Retirement Pension in whole weeks stems from the fact that the benefit is traditionally paid in advance.
	There are no plans to change the present arrangements for paying Retirement Pension.

Personnel Issues

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what was the (a) percentage and number of rail journeys undertaken on first class tickets, (b) average cost of a first class journey by rail and (c) total cost of rail travel in each of the past four years broken down by grade of civil servant.

Malcolm Wicks: The information requested for the percentage, number and average cost of first class journeys is not available. As part of their terms and conditions of employment, first class tickets are available for senior staff undertaking long business journeys or working en route. The department has a contract with an external agent for the provision of rail tickets over #15. Over each of the last three calendar years (1999–2001) the department has purchased an average of #7.2 million worth of tickets.

FRS17

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what assessment his Department made of the impact on occupational pensions of FRS17 prior to its implementation;
	(2)  what representations his Department received from employers concerning the introduction by the Accounting Standards Board of FRS17 prior to its implementation;
	(3)  whether his Department was consulted about the planned timescale for the introduction of FRS17;
	(4)  when he was first informed by the Accounting Standards Board about the planned adoption of FRS17;
	(5)  whether his Department consulted employers concerning the introduction by the Accounting Standards Board of FRS17 prior to its implementation; on what dates; and what the contents of those consultations were;
	(6)  what representations his Department made to Accounting Standards Board concerning the introduction of FRS17.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 27 February 2002
	FRS17 is an accounting standard introduced by the Accounting Standards Board (ASB) which is entirely independent of Government. Financial reporting standards are introduced after a long period of public consultation which offers an opportunity for those with an interest to make representations to the ASB.
	The Department has been aware of FRS17 throughout its development, a process that has taken several years.
	Ministers and officials hold regular consultations with those involved with the pensions industry. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State met representatives from the ASB on 27 February.
	There are many factors tending to increase the costs and risks faced by employers who choose to offer defined benefit occupational pension schemes including longer life expectancy and lower expected future investment returns. It is not possible to isolate the effects of FRS17 from these other factors.